EDITORIAL - No politicians – in the press release

This is why no one believes social welfare and other government officials when they insist that politicians, whether in person or through their self-promoting materials, are not allowed at venues for state-funded aid programs.

Right at the rollout yesterday of the P5,000 fuel assistance for tricycle drivers, two Metro Manila mayors figured prominently in the event.

The fuel ayuda is sourced from the “soft pork barrel” that the 20th Congress refused to eliminate from the 2026 national budget, the controversial Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations.

AICS has been heavily used by politicians in the past years for their self-promotion, with many showing up in person at the aid distribution venues to claim personal credit for the ayuda for every need.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, which administers AICS, has insisted that politicians have no role in the selection of beneficiaries and distribution of the aid. But numerous photos and video footage of both national and local politicians at AICS events belie the DSWD’s claim.

Yesterday at the AICS event, the two mayors had an excuse: they were merely escorting the person leading the distribution of ayuda to transport operators – President Marcos himself, who was assisted by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and acting Transport Secretary Giovanni Lopez.

While the excuse may be valid, other politicians all over the country may invoke the same reason and follow suit. After the formal launch of the ayuda program, perhaps the President can provide the proper example and leave the aid distribution to DSWD personnel.

The DSWD chief should make it clear to social welfare personnel that the official launch was a one-off event wherein an exemption to the supposed anti-epal rules in ayuda distribution was allowed.

The government has failed to dispel concerns raised particularly by 72 medical and healthcare associations that politicians will continue to use for their self-promotion the so-called health pork barrel, the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Persons.

Yesterday’s start of an aid program under AICS reinforces the belief about the politicized nature of the ever-growing number of unconditional forms of assistance, which get funding priority over non-politicized programs such as the conditional cash transfer or 4Ps and the Universal Health Care program under the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

Politicians have no role in ayuda programs? It wasn’t true before, and it wasn’t true yesterday. What happens next amid the fuel crisis will impact already eroded public trust in the government.