ILOILO City – Mayor Raisa Treñas distanced Iloilo City Hall from the alleged “kaltas” scheme on Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) monetary aid, even as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) charged several barangay officials and two City Hall personnel before the Office of the Ombudsman.
“I can say with conviction, there is none,” Treñas said during a press conference when asked directly whether the Iloilo City Government had any involvement in the alleged illegal deductions reportedly committed during the distribution of AICS assistance last month.
DSWD assistant secretary Paul Ledesma earlier described the alleged AICS deductions as “orchestrated, systematic, and pre-planned”, raising suspicions that bigger personalities or organized groups may be behind the scheme.
While Ledesma stopped short of directly naming the Iloilo City Government, online screenshots and complaints from alleged beneficiaries have fueled speculations that city hall could be involved.
Mayor Treñas acknowledged that barangay officials from Jaro and Arevalo, as well as two City Hall employees, were among those included in the cases filed by the DSWD before the Office of the Ombudsman. She stressed, however, that this does not establish institutional involvement by the city government.
The mayor further said she will not engage in political speculation surrounding the controversy, warning that it distracts from her governance and public service.
“I don’t respond to it because if we do, we lose focus,” she said.
While Treñas did not explicitly state whether she believes the allegations are politically motivated, she confirmed that the matter has been formally referred to the City Legal Office for proper action and legal guidance.
She reiterated that her administration remains focused on delivering services and fulfilling its mandate, despite the growing controversy.
“I have already shared with you my main purpose for service — what drives me and what my intentions are,” Treñas said, adding that she will not allow political issues to derail the city government’s work.
The AICS “kaltas” controversy erupted after beneficiaries alleged that portions of their financial assistance were deducted during distribution, prompting the DSWD to conduct an investigation and eventually file cases before the Ombudsman.
Last week, DSWD’s Secretary Rex Gatchalian himself filed administrative charges against 12 barangay officials and two Iloilo City Hall employees, accusing them of systematically deducting P8,000 from each beneficiary during a November 11 payout. He said the coordinated nature of the scheme marks it as a “systemic process” rather than an isolated abuse of authority.
The charges stem from grievance complaints submitted by multiple beneficiaries who reported that from the intended P10,000 AICS aid, only P2,000 remained after barangay intermediaries allegedly demanded deductions.
The respondents charged were the following:
* Jobert Lim – City Hall personnel
* Janicol Dizon – City Hall personnel
* Gina Elauria – Barangay Captain, Taytay Zone II
* Jingjing Pineda – Barangay Kagawad, Taytay Zone II
* Amadeo Sultan – Barangay Captain, Simon Ledesma, Jaro
* John Doe – Barangay Kagawad, Simon Ledesma, Jaro
* John Doe – Barangay Treasurer, Simon Ledesma, Jaro
* Visamin Canal – Barangay Captain, Quezon, Arevalo
* John Doe – Barangay Kagawad, Quezon, Arevalo
* Remedio Bedia – Barangay Captain, Lanit
* Kagawad Huntado – Barangay Lanit
* Kagawad Gonzales – Barangay Lanit
* Rizaline Delmo – Barangay Captain, Quintin Salas
* Victoria Rowel – Barangay Kagawad, Quintin Salas
Apart from the administrative complaint, the DSWD is also preparing criminal charges to be filed before the courts after completing the consolidation of additional evidence and testimonies.
Last month after several complaints surfaced, DSWD, at the request of Mayor Treñas, temporarily suspended AICS payouts in the city while complaints were being reviewed.
“The city is grateful that assistance is being provided to those in need, but it is essential that the program is carried out in a fair manner so that all beneficiaries receive the proper aid without favoritism,” a statement from the city government read./PN
