Lacson flags use of AICS funds for political interests

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday raised concerns that the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program has been used for political purposes, citing how its budget consistently spikes during election years.

During plenary deliberations on the proposed 2026 DSWD budget, Lacson noted a clear pattern of AICS allocations swelling in election periods. The program is designed to assist individuals in crisis, providing aid for medical, burial, transportation, education, food, and other urgent needs.

In a report by Jonathan Andal on 24 Oras, Lacson noted that AICS funding jumped from P23.6 billion in 2021 to P39.8 billion in 2022, an election year.

It then dropped to P36.8 billion in 2023 and P34.3 billion in 2024, only to surge again to P44.4 billion in 2025, another election year.

“This program is not really intended to help those who truly need it. It’s driven not by needs but by politics,” Lacson said.
The senator also criticized how aid distribution events were turned into political spectacles, where politicians often stage these events to showcase their involvement in disbursing aid.

“Kailangan ipakita na namimigay. Tine-turn natin yung programa into a political event at nagrere-enforce ng patronage politics,” he said.

(They need to show that someone is giving aid. We have turned this program into a political event that reinforces patronage politics.)

Data presented by the senator showed that in 2025, the largest AICS allocations went to Davao City’s 1st and 2nd congressional districts, while Sulu’s 1st and 2nd districts received the smallest allocations.

Lacson questioned the disparity: “What crisis exists in Davao City that isn’t present in Sulu?” He implied that districts considered Duterte strongholds were receiving preferential treatment in recent years.

Lacson urged DSWD officials to prevent political interference, stressing that the program’s integrity must be preserved for its intended beneficiaries.

In response, Senator Pia Cayetano, sponsor of the DSWD budget, acknowledged the upward trend in AICS funding but attributed it to an increase in requests from legislators to address genuine needs, especially during election years.

“Matagal na sila humihingi, taon-taon humihingi sila. Baka napapansin lang sila kapag election year,” she said,

(This practice of lawmakers seeking funding for aid has run for many years. Maybe it only gets noticed during election years.)

She clarified that the program responds to recipients’ personal crises.

In a media interview in Davao City, Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed Lacson’s observations, but alleged that AICS funds were used to support congressional candidates backed by former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

“Through offices of former Congressman Vincent Garcia and PBA partylist, AICS was used to fund candidates opposing the Dutertes,” she said.

The Davao City districts Lacson cited are known Duterte strongholds. In the May 2025 congressional elections, Rep. Paolo Duterte won the 1st District, while his son, Rep. Omar Vincent Duterte, secured the 2nd District.

Duterte further claimed that funds for “soft projects,” such as direct aid or “ayuda,” were used to reward lawmakers who had signed an impeachment complaint against her.—MCG, GMA Integrated News