MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on Wednesday questioned the refusal of the House of Representatives to agree to the Senate’s amendments to the bill institutionalizing the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, saying disagreements over a provision barring politicians from distributing aid had stalled the measure.
Speaking during a special session of the Senate, Marcoleta said the Senate and House failed to reach an agreement on the bill after House members declined to sign the bicameral conference committee report.
“We waited for several minutes for our counterpart, the lower House, to sign that AICS bill. Unfortunately, we are at a deadlock. They did not want to sign,” Marcoleta said.
According to Marcoleta, discussions centered on a provision that prohibits government officials and employees from distributing or implementing financial assistance under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s AICS program.
“The section clearly specifies that a politician is banned from distributing aid that comes from the DSWD itself. That is what we had been debating about for a long, long while earlier today,” he said.
The AICS program provides financial assistance to individuals facing crisis situations. Marcoleta previously headed the DSWD and has supported the inclusion of the provision, which he described as an “anti-epal” measure.
Marcoleta questioned the House’s opposition to the provision and suggested that some lawmakers may be reluctant to lose a mechanism that could be used for political purposes.
“I don’t understand. What is there to study? Is it because they are afraid that finally, after so many years that this AICS had been used for politicking, the law will already stop this?” he said.
He said the provision aims to prevent politicians from using government-funded assistance programs to influence voters.
“We are trying to stop that practice wherein politicians are using the AICS for politicking. The aid should be given only to the poor,” Marcoleta said.
House proponents of the measure have yet to publicly specify which provisions require further review.
The AICS bill is among the priority measures identified by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for consideration during the special sessions of Congress.
The proposed legislation was awaiting ratification before it could be transmitted to the president for signing. However, the Senate cannot ratify the measure without the House’s concurrence.
Lawmakers are expected to revisit the bill in another bicameral conference committee meeting to resolve differences between the two chambers.
