photo credits: Google
The Sangguniang Panlawigan of Bohol is initiating an inquiry into the purported irregularities in the Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
Reports said that the P7 million AICS funds were allocated by the Office of Senator Imee Marcos and were intended for the poorest of the poor in Bohol.
The investigation follows claims that two employees of the provincial government participated in the illicit reduction of funds allocated to beneficiaries of the AICS.
The controversy came to light after Gov. Erico Aristotle “Aris” Aumentado, prior to his suspension, dismissed Nelson Pon and Caroline Maniwang due to their supposed involvement in this misappropriation scandal.
Board Member Vierna Mae “Mimi” Boniel has called for a thorough examination by the provincial board into these allegations, which have reportedly caused harm and unfair treatment to the recipients of the AICS.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has also been reported to be conducting its own investigation into the matter.
In a speech delivered on June 4, 2024, Boniel revealed that the alleged misconduct was uncovered when beneficiaries reported receiving only PHP3,000 instead of the full PHP 10,000 intended from the AICS program. It is suspected that the remaining PHP7,000 was illicitly claimed by the two former government officials, trusted staff of Aumentado.
Boniel has expressed her intention to summon DSWD officials and others implicated in the case to provide clarity on the situation and to formulate measures to prevent such fraudulent activities in the future.
The SP Committee of the Whole is set to conduct this significant probe, addressing what is considered one of the most substantial corruption allegations implicating a close associate of the now-suspended governor.