Acting Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte has declared that Davao City residents demonstrated their political independence by overwhelmingly supporting his father's political party in recent elections, despite controversies surrounding the distribution of government assistance funds.
Defending Dabawenyos Against Vote-Buying Claims
During the Pasko Fiesta celebration at Rizal Park on November 27, 2025, the acting mayor directly addressed critics who accused Dabawenyos of being influenced by money during the election period. "Those people think that Dabawenyos only care about money, that you can buy a Dabawenyo with money — you are wrong about that, you are mistaken," Duterte stated emphatically.
He emphasized that the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL) party never utilized the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program to sway voters, yet citizens still chose to elect candidates affiliated with former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The acting mayor expressed gratitude for the public's continued trust and assured residents that the local government remains committed to serving their interests.
Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over AICS Implementation
Earlier, Third District Representative Isidro Ungab voiced serious concerns about the potential political use of AICS funds. He claimed that distributions occurred during political events despite the absence of any calamity, which he asserted constitutes a violation of established protocols. Ungab noted that Davao City received the highest AICS allocation in 2025 nationwide.
Meanwhile, First District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte denied allegations that he or his political allies controlled AICS fund distribution. He countered that the largest allocations actually went to individuals aligned with the Marcos administration and its candidates. Both Ungab and Pulong agreed that Dabawenyos ultimately rejected what they characterized as political tactics, pointing to the sweeping victory of HTL candidates.
The election results saw former President Rodrigo Duterte elected as mayor, among other HTL victories. Representative Pulong Duterte acknowledged the Department of Social Welfare and Development for providing assistance to residents but stressed that public trust, not financial handouts, determined the election outcome.
Growing National Scrutiny on AICS Budget
The concerns about AICS implementation extend beyond Davao City, reaching national legislative deliberations. Senator Panfilo Lacson expressed apprehension about the program's potential use for political purposes during plenary discussions on the proposed 2026 DSWD budget.
"This program is not really intended to help those who truly need it. It's driven not by needs but by politics," Lacson stated during budget deliberations.
A review of AICS allocations reveals significant budget fluctuations in recent years:
- P18.240 billion in 2020
- P23.560 billion in 2021
- P39.767 billion in 2022
- P36.818 billion in 2023
- P24.269 billion in 2024
- P44.442 billion for 2025
Both Ungab and Pulong Duterte have called for ongoing audit procedures by the Commission on Audit (COA), emphasizing the critical need for transparency, proper beneficiary verification, and accountability in the use of public funds. Ungab further urged continued public attention on alleged corruption in infrastructure projects, particularly questionable flood control initiatives, while COA conducts its review of AICS releases.
Understanding the AICS Program
According to the DSWD, the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) represents one of the department's essential social welfare services. The program provides various forms of assistance including:
- Medical support
- Burial assistance
- Transportation aid
- Educational support
- Food and basic needs
- Other financial aid for essential services
The program aims to help Filipinos facing crisis situations meet their immediate needs. A report from the Davao City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) as of November 2024 indicated that 5,663 individuals had availed of AICS assistance, with distributions covering:
- Food and basic needs: 1,861 individuals
- Emergency shelter aid: 1,440 individuals
- Educational assistance: 2,327 individuals
- Health-related assistance: 35 individuals
The ongoing debate surrounding AICS implementation continues to highlight tensions between social welfare objectives and political considerations in Philippine governance.
