Fourteen barangay officials in Jaro, Iloilo, were charged before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly pocketing cash assistance intended for families under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
The complaints were filed by affected residents who accused the officials of diverting portions of the financial aid, falsifying beneficiary lists, and withholding payouts.
According to initial reports, the officials are facing multiple administrative and criminal charges, including grave misconduct, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, falsification of public documents, and theft. Several beneficiaries claimed they received reduced amounts or were told their names were not on the list despite prior confirmation.
Local authorities said the allegations surfaced after community members noticed discrepancies between official payout documents and actual disbursements. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is now coordinating with investigators to verify the extent of the irregularities.
The Ombudsman is expected to issue preventive suspension orders if evidence shows that the officials’ continued stay in office may influence the investigation. Meanwhile, Iloilo City’s local government has urged residents to immediately report similar incidents, assuring them that all complaints will be acted upon.
The AICS program provides emergency financial aid to individuals facing crises such as illness, death in the family, or sudden loss of income—making the alleged misuse of funds “a serious betrayal of public trust,” according to officials familiar with the case.
