Two Davao City representatives have raised serious allegations about the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program being used as a political tool during the recent local elections.
Election Fund Controversy
Third District Representative Isidro Ungab made startling claims that the AICS program was allegedly exploited to attract voters during the campaign period. "There was no calamity in Davao City! AICS was allegedly used by certain candidates for Davao City mayor, vice mayor, and the three congressional district seats to lure voters to their rallies, assemblies, and caucuses—and even reportedly to bankroll their poll watchers," Ungab stated on November 25, 2025.
The congressman emphasized that this utilization of government funds represented a clear violation of election laws. He pointed to concerns raised by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson about the significant increase in AICS allocations—from P34.27 billion in 2024 to P44.44 billion in 2025, coinciding with the midterm election year.
Davao's Questionable Allocation
According to DSWD records as of September 2025, Davao City received the highest AICS allocation nationwide, with the second district ranking as the second-highest recipient. Ungab expressed concerns that the actual figures might be even higher, noting the absence of 2024 statistics and unreported allocations for the third district.
First District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte joined the discussion, reviewing the AICS reports and seeking clarification. He firmly denied that his office or allies controlled the funds, contrary to allegations presented during Senate hearings.
"The largest AICS allocation went to individuals aligned with the Marcos administration, including those who campaigned for the Nograleses and other administration-backed candidates in the 2025 elections," Duterte revealed in his November 26 statement.
Voter Resistance and Election Outcome
Both representatives highlighted that Davao City voters demonstrated remarkable discernment despite the alleged financial influence attempts. Ungab noted that Dabawenyos rejected these tactics and overwhelmingly supported Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL) candidates, including former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
"The people's mandate was overwhelming—with all Hugpong candidates winning in almost all barangays and in almost all the precincts in Davao City," Ungab proudly declared.
Paolo Duterte echoed this sentiment, stating that despite massive government resources deployed for administration-aligned candidates, Dabawenyos saw through the "gimmicks" and "attempts to buy their loyalty." He emphasized that voters chose HTL candidates based on service records rather than financial handouts.
Call for Accountability and Investigation
Paolo Duterte expressed full support for the Commission on Audit's review of AICS distribution procedures, timing of releases, and verification of whether listed beneficiaries actually received the cash assistance. He stressed that transparency and accountability are non-negotiable and that public funds must never be used as political weapons.
"The people of Davao City deserve no less," Duterte asserted, urging the DSWD to cooperate fully with the COA audit and calling on the House of Representatives to ensure proper accounting of every peso.
Meanwhile, Ungab cautioned against distractions from other critical issues, particularly focusing on alleged corruption in infrastructure projects, specifically anomalous flood control initiatives. He emphasized that evidence and testimonies continue to emerge as investigations progress.
The election results saw five members of the Duterte family secure key positions, with all proclaimed councilors from the first, second, and third districts belonging to HTL—demonstrating that genuine public trust cannot be overturned by financial assistance programs, regardless of their scale.
