Four lawyers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Office arrived in Iloilo City to assist in the investigation on alleged modus in the distribution of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) cash aid.

“Basically they will be part of the fact-finding committee ng DSWD and they will help our internal lawyers dito sa DSWD upang makatipon at maka-file sa proper court natin,” DSWD 6 Director Joselito Estember said.

The agency seeks the return of the amount taken allegedly from beneficiaries.

“Depende sa result ng investigation. So again, ibigay na natin sa korte kung ano ang proseso. But basically, our recommendation is dapat ibalik talaga sa tao,” Estember said.

DSWD 6 received at least eight formal complaints against alleged cuts done to the AICS.

Estember said that at least six complainants appeared personally at the regional office, one sent a complaint through electronic mail (e-mail), and another one used the Presidential Complaint Hotline 888.

Estember has not released yet details on the complaints, but the said complaints are reportedly from Iloilo City.

Complainants cited of P8,000 to P9,000 taken away from them of the original amount worth P10,000.

“Patuloy ang coordination namin sa walong ito na nag-formal complaint upang ma-execute ang affidavit and statements o di kaya’y dokumento na kailangan natin sa pag-file ng case,” Estember said.

GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas learned from DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian that cases will be filed against the perpetrators of anomalous cuts done to the agency’s financial assistance program.