Manila, Dec. 11 -- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Thursday filed administrative charges at the Office of the Ombudsman against 14 barangay officials in Iloilo City involved in payout anomalies under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

The action follows a report submitted to Gatchalian on Nov. 12 by DSWD's Field Office (FO) 6 - Western Visayas which indicated multiple grievance complaints from AICS beneficiaries.

Allegedly, certain village officials unlawfully took PHP8,000 from beneficiaries during the AICS payout on Nov. 7, 11 and 12, leaving only PHP 2,000 to the intended recipients.

Gatchalian strongly condemned the reported acts of corruption, reiterating that ...