14 Iloilo leaders face charges over alleged AICS cash extortion

National

FOR residents relying on emergency cash assistance, the promise of help turned into a nightmare.

Fourteen officials in Iloilo City are accused of forcing beneficiaries to hand over the bulk of their aid, sparking criminal and administrative charges and raising questions about the safety of social welfare programs.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that beneficiaries in multiple barangays were coerced into giving up between P8,000 to P9,000 of their cash assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, leaving them with only P1,000 to P2,000.

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian led the filing of the complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday.

“Victims of crises are revictimized. Aside from being a victim of their circumstances, they are revictimized by people of authority, Gatchalian said in a Philstar report.

He added that officials allegedly threatened residents with removal from the beneficiary list if they refused to hand over their aid, effectively using their position to coerce the most vulnerable.

The Department is urging the Ombudsman to preventively suspend the 14 officials to stop further interference in the ongoing investigation. The complaints involve payouts that took place on November 7, 11, and 12 across 16 barangays.

Gatchalian said the full extent of the alleged extortion is unclear since some witnesses refused to testify, but he described the situation as potentially “widescale,” noting consistent amounts allegedly taken across multiple barangays.

During the affected payout periods, 2,160 beneficiaries collectively received P21.6 million in AICS cash aid, though only 14 individuals have formally filed complaints so far. Most complainants reportedly sought medical or burial assistance under the program.

DSWD plans to resume AICS payouts by January following a temporary suspension due to the incident. The victims will undergo another round of evaluation and assessment by social workers to restore their access to aid.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the accused officials could face preventive suspension for six months. Iloilo Rep. Julienne Baronda added that it would be prudent for the DSWD to investigate similar incidents that occurred in 2024, signaling concern that this may not be an isolated case.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it is coordinating with the DSWD, the Ombudsman, and other agencies to ensure a swift investigation. The DILG also pledged to reinforce monitoring mechanisms to prevent abuses of the program at the local level.

The 14 respondents include 12 barangay officials and two Iloilo City Hall employees. Among them are Jobert Lim and Janicol Dizon from City Hall; Gina Elauria, Barangay Captain, and Jingjing Pineda, Barangay Councilor of Taytay Zone II, Arevalo; Amadeo Sultan, Barangay Captain, a councilor, and treasurer of Simon Ledesma, Jaro; Visamin Canal, Barangay Captain and Councilor of Quezon, Arevalo; Remedio Bedia, Barangay Captain, and Councilors Juntado and Gonzales of Lanit, Jaro; and Rizaline Delmo, Barangay Captain, and Councilor Victoria Rowel of Quintin Salas, Jaro.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Paul Ledesma noted that these officials are part of the first batch to be charged over alleged anomalies during aid distribution. He explained that, according to complainants, the practice of confiscating cash aid has persisted since the pandemic and had become normalized.(MyTVCebu)