17 Iloilo village officials face AICS aid deduction charges

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Seventeen barangay officials from six villages in Iloilo City have been initially identified in connection with alleged illegal deductions from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

The DSWD fact-finding and investigation team identified the officials based on affidavits and testimonies submitted by at least 11 complainants.

DSWD Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations Paul Ledesma, who heads the fact-finding team, said findings were discussed with the DSWD Legal Team on Nov. 24 and 25.

“For now, we’re looking at 17 barangay officials—barangay captains, kagawad and secretaries—as possible respondents,” Ledesma said.

He declined to identify the officials or the barangays involved, pending the filing of charges.

Ledesma said cases of coercion and theft by deceit are being considered, although charges may vary for each respondent.

He said charges are expected to be filed no later than Dec. 10.

Ledesma said initial findings suggest a conspiracy behind the AICS fund deductions.

Complainants alleged they were told the deductions were ordered by someone from “sa babaw” (higher authorities).

Ledesma said he received several anonymous text messages naming individuals allegedly behind the scheme, but the messages lacked verifiable proof.

“And we couldn’t use text messages as evidence in court,” he said.

He earlier described the AICS fund reductions as a “pre-planned, systematic, and orchestrated” operation.

At least 16 barangays in the Jaro and Arevalo districts were reportedly involved in the illegal deductions, based on the investigation.

Beneficiaries said they were given PHP 10,000 in aid, but barangay officials allegedly demanded that PHP 8,000 be returned.

In some cases, beneficiaries were ordered to surrender PHP 9,000, with PHP 1,000 later returned to them.

Ledesma said the 80 percent deduction appeared to be the common practice.

He also noted that some barangays imposed preconditions before including beneficiaries in the AICS list.