House Bill making AICS 'permanent' approved on final reading
The House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill making the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) a permanent program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on third and final reading late Wednesday night.
This happened as all 176 House members voted yes for the passage of House Bill 11395 on An Act Institutionalizing the AICS Program.
House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of Gabriela party-list, who voted yes with reservations on the measure, said making the AICS program permanent is "necessary" but should not be used by public officials to promote themselves.
"We recognize that it is the mandate of the State to provide adequate assistance, social services, projects, and programs geared towards alleviating poverty and improving the quality of life of Filipinos. Sa harap ng hindi maampat-ampat na presyo ng mga bilihin at bayarin, mataas na inflation rate (In the face of unsustainable prices of goods and services, high inflation rate)... The need for an immediate economic relief will always be there," Brosas said.
"Hindi natin kinukuwestiyon ang pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan para sa agarang tulong (We do not question the citizens' need for immediate assistance.)... Rather, we are particularly worried about those who are in the position to provide assistance, but takes it as an opportunity to forward their personal and political interests," Brosas added.
Brosas said that government policies should not promote political patronage and mendicancy but instead emphasize that government assistance is funded by the taxpayers' money.
"As legislators and as public servants, let us be true to our mandate to put forward measures that will alleviate poverty and address the deepening inequality in our country towards genuinely raising the quality of life of Filipinos," Brosas said.
Latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed that 63% self-rated poverty among Filipinos, the highest in 21 years.
The same poll showed that involuntary hunger among Filipino families, on the other hand, doubled to 7.5 million in March 2025 from 2.9 million from June 2022. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
6 hours ago
- GMA Network
Marcos urged to intervene for release of Pinoy seafarers jailed in Algeria
With only four months left before Algeria's Supreme Court hands down its verdict, the wives of three Filipino seafarers convicted of drug trafficking there appealed to President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to personally speak with the Algerian government and help bring their husbands home. At a press conference, the wives — who identified themselves only as Joy, Marie, and Rose — said their husbands were sentenced to 15 years in prison. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said the seafarers were among the eight Filipinos arrested in July 2023 after 35.8 kilos of cocaine were found on MV Harris, a Malta-flagged container ship. While all eight were initially convicted by a trial court, five were later acquitted by Algeria's Court of Appeals, leaving only three to face final judgment. The ruling of the Supreme Court is expected to be released in October 2025. The three are a 43-year-old Chief Officer, a 54-year-old Bosun, and a 29-year-old Ordinary Seaman. Joy said since the last chance to save their husbands is the Supreme Court, a government to government approach should be done. "Kung puwede may government to government approach or diplomatic process na puwede gawin (If government to government approach or diplomatic process is possible, they should do it)," she said. Marie, wife of the Bosun, tearfully appealed to the President for help. "Matanda na ako, 58 years old. Maawa po kayo President Marcos sana po matulungan ninyo kami sa aming mga daing at kahilingan. Please po President Bongbong Marcos," she said. (I am already old, 58 years old, please have pity with us, President Marcos, help us with our concerns and wishes.) The families clarified they have received support from the Department of Migrant Workers and the Department of Foreign Affairs, including legal assistance and help with their March 2025 visit to Algeria to see their husbands. "May meeting kami kahapon (DMW, DFA). sabi nila they're committed sa kaso na 'to at hindi sila nagpapabaya. Nakikita naman namin nandyan sila to assist pero ang kailangan po namin ay urgency. Baka puwedeng makausap ng Pangulo 'yung government ng po namin aksyon talaga galing mismo sa Presidente. Umaaksyon po ang DMW at DFA, pero iba po talaga ang magagawa ng ating Pangulo," said Rose. (We had a meeting yesterday with DMW and DFA, they said they're committed to this case and they were not negligent. We really see that they are there to assist us but what we need is urgency. Maybe the President can talk with the government of need action from the President. DMW and DFA do their part but it is really different if it is the President.) Cacdac open to appeal Cacdac said he is open to personally appeal to the Algerian government the release of three Filipino seafarers, however, he stressed the need to consult first with the DFA. 'Kino-consider ko na rin na baka puwedeng ako ang magsagawa nung pag-apela. Pero ito'y ini-estima pa natin, tayo'y nakikipag-ugnayan pa sa Department of Foreign Affairs,' Cacdac said in an interview following a press conference held by the wives of the detained seafarers. (I am considering if I can make the appeal but I am still weighing it. We are coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding this.) The DMW chief stressed caution in determining the appropriate course of diplomatic intervention beyond the existing legal appeal: 'Dito sa aspeto ng intervention na hinihingi nila, again, we need to seek the advice of the DFA and also our lawyers, our legal counsel, whether or not this would be the appropriate intervention aside from the appeal to the Supreme Court,' he explained. Cacdac said President Marcos has instructed the DMW to assist the families since the start, but any diplomatic or high-level intervention would have to be carefully evaluated. 'Ang utos ni Presidente, tulungan 'yung mga pamilya, of course, since day one. At this stage, we just need to carefully assess the situation as to whether there will be interventions aside from the appeal sa Korte Suprema,' he explained. He said he was set to meet with the three wives later in the day to reassure them of continued government support. 'Magtatatlong taon na natin silang tinutulungan… Patuloy namin ibibigay ang aming taus-pusong assurance ng assistance at suporta (We have been assisting them for three years. We will continue to give them assistance and support),' he said. The DMW has already facilitated two visits to Algeria for the families. Cacdac said they are willing to assist again should the families wish to return. 'Sinamahan namin sila doon sa dalawang beses… sasamahan namin uli sila para i-assist sila sa pagdalaw sa piitan (We accompanied them during their will accompany them again should they visit again),' he said. Should the Supreme Court rule against the seafarers, Cacdac noted that clemency may be explored—but added that it is too early to discuss that option. 'Kapatawaran could be an option… pero hindi ko muna ibibigay yung option na 'yun at this stage kasi hihingi muna tayo ng kaukulang payo sa DFA, pending yung kaso na nasa Korte Suprema (Clemency could be an option but I would not float that this early because we are still seeking advice from the DFA as the case is still pending with the Supreme Court),' he said. Consular services extended The DFA, for its part, said it has been extending regular consular services to the previously eight and now, three Filipino seafarers detained in Algeria despite challenges in coordinating with authorities in the delivery of those services. "We are coordinating with the Greek shipping company, which has provided legal assistance from the beginning. We assisted by providing consular services (jail visitation) and visa assistance for the next of kin to visit detainees via our ATN Fund," it added in a statement. On the request for diplomatic intervention, it noted that the judicial proceedings have not yet been terminated and that the case is with the Algerian Supreme Court. "While we are exploring all options, the DFA deeply respects a sovereign state's internal processes, and diplomatic interventions should be explored judiciously," it said. It further said that since the case is still ongoing and there is no final and executory decision yet, it may be more prudent to just let the company-hired lawyers to continue to represent the three seafarers at court for now as what they had successfully did for the five others who were acquitted. "Any other course of action, such as back-channeling, may be misconstrued to be maneuvering tactics to rig Algeria's judicial system, or questioning its fairness and impartiality," it explained. The DFA said all options are being explored and the department remains committed to the welfare of all overseas Filipinos. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
6 hours ago
- GMA Network
Prosecutor says House won't withdraw impeachment raps vs. VP Sara
'Returning it to sender or dismissing the impeachment complaint right away are unconstitutional acts,' Zamora told reporters in an online interview. The House prosecution panel is not considering withdrawing the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte or receiving them in case the Senate returns them to the House of Representatives, San Juan Rep Ysabel Maria Zamora said on Friday. Zamora said these options, as well as outrightly dismissing the impeachment complaint without a trial, are unconstitutional. 'Returning it to sender or dismissing the impeachment complaint right away are unconstitutional acts,' Zamora told reporters in an online interview. 'There's no option for the Senators to dismiss it. There's also no option for the House to withdraw it,' she added, citing the constitutional provision on the Senate impeachment court needing to hear the complaints forthrightly after they had been received. Zamora said the House prosecution panel was focused on preparations for the impeachment trial. She said Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro was assigned to read the articles of impeachment before the Senate on June 11. All 11 House prosecutors will be present. 'We have been preparing for several months, and we are still preparing. In fact, the members of the panel are preparing for our presentation in the Senate. So we are not affected by what's going on in the Senate, the draft resolution, or the comments that we hear from the Senators. We are still continuing to do our job because that is our job under the Constitution. So that is our duty. We have to be ready to present the evidence,' Zamora said. 'Honestly, it is our stand that they have already been convened or constituted as an impeachment court right from the start na nag-transmit tayo ng articles sa kanila,' Zamora said. She also said the House Prosecution Panel talked about the draft resolution prepared by the office of Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa to outrightly dismiss the impeachment complaint. 'We talked about it. We were shocked. But, you know, siguro dahil alam natin na some senators are really openly planning to dismiss or have the impeachment proceedings dismissed right away. Lalo na, alam naman natin si Senator Bato dela Rosa ay very close, isa sa mga bata ng Duterte family. So, you know, they will surely do everything to dismiss, to have it dismissed or to delay the process,' Zamora said. 'The mere fact na nag-draft sila ng isang resolution that openly violates the Constitution is shocking for us,' she added. She also denied Senate President Chiz Escudero's pronouncement that members of the House of Representatives are 'sunud-sunuran' to House Speaker Martin Romualdez. 'Hindi po kami sunud-sunuran kay Speaker. In fact, uulitin po, wala pong naging pilitan sa pagpirma ng impeachment,' Zamora stressed. Zamora also thanked the Catholic Church for its support for the impeachment. The Church has announced it will conduct a vigil at the Senate next week. 'We are very thankful for their support for the impeachment. Like we always say, hindi naman po natin ginagawa to para panigan ang isang party or what but we are doing this as our duty to the nation to protect the Office of the Vice Presidency, the Office of the Vice President,' Zamora said. –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
9 hours ago
- GMA Network
Labor groups 'worried' about Marcos' statement on wage hike
Labor groups on Friday expressed concerns over President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr.'s statement about reviewing the proposed hike in minimum wage for workers. Lawyer Sonny Matula of the Federation of Free Workers emphasized that the bill granting a P200 increase on the daily minimum wage has already undergone scrutiny by lawmakers. 'Nababahala kami sa statement na dapat dumaan pa ito sa comprehensive review. Hindi na kinakailangan ang opinion ng Wage Boards sapagkat dumaan na ito sa mga debate and deliberation sa House at saka sa Senado,' Matula said. (We are concerned about it being subjected to a review and the Palace seeking the opinion of the wage boards. This bill has gone through debates in the House and Senate.) "Hindi naman po Court of Appeals ng Kongreso ang ating mga Wage board na dapat i-consulta pa sila sa nangyaring pagpasa o pinasang panukalang batas," added Matula. (The wage board is not the Court of Appeals which should be consulted over a bill already passed by Congress.) The statement comes after Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said that Marcos will look into the economic implications of the proposed increase. 'We will look at the economic implications of this and how to resolve this with the opinion of the wage boards since the wage boards are also the creations of the Congress,''' Castro said. Matula, however, urged Marcos to support the bill. "Dapat ay aprobahan na [ang wage hike] sapagkat matagal na itong kinakailangan," he said. (This should be approved as soon as possible because the public needs it badly.) "Palagay ko ay isang insulto para sa mga representante sa House at sa ating mga Senador na konsultahin pa yung ating mga regional wage boards," added Matula. (It would be an insult to the House and Senate members if they still had to consult the regional wage boards.) GMA News Online has reached out to the Palace for comment, but it has yet to reply as of posting time. Long overdue Jerome Adonis of Kilusang Mayo Uno backed Matula's call and also emphasized that a wage increase has been "long overdue." 'The labor sector has long fought for the P200 wage hike for minimum wage earners, and this is even small compared with the family living wage. Even so, we welcome this increase because this is long overdue. The Senate even passed its version way back in 2024,' Adonis said. 'Dahil dumaan na nga sa mahabang debate sa Kongreso, sa Senado, nag-present na ang both sides ng mga statistics na ito po ay kayang kaya at, in fact, mas maliit pa nga [sa ideal]. So wala nang rason ang presidente para hindi ito pirmahan,' he added. (This has already been debated in the House, Senate, and both sides have already put forward their points. It has been proven that this is doable, and the proposed amounts are even lower than what is ideal, so the President has no reason not to sign it.) The House version of the wage hike measure is P200 per day, a higher amount compared to the Senate version, which is just pegged at P100. The House and the Senate will have to reconcile their differing versions and ratify the reconciled version before the 19th Congress ends on June 13 for the bill to be ready for the President's signature. Veto? Senator Joel Villanueva on Thursday expressed concern regarding the House of Representatives' approval of the bill and said that it might only get vetoed if adopted by the Senate. 'Parang ang tingin natin 'pag nangyari 'yan, diretsong veto. 'Yan ang kailangan din natin pagtuunan ng pansin kung ia-adopt natin 'yan kasi baka 'yan din 'yung dahilan ng iba na nandun sa Kamara para masiguro na ma-veto 'yan,' Villanueva told reporters. (I think that it may be directly vetoed by the President. That's what we also need to look at if we are going to adopt that because some House members may just use that to ensure that the bill will get vetoed.) Adonis, however, believes that this should not be a hindrance. 'Kaya bagaman magkaibang bersyon, sana hindi na siya hadlang at kaagad mag-convene ang bicameral committee ng Senado at Kongreso para i-decide kung magkano talaga... Huwag na nilang paghintayin yung mga manggagawa kasi 36 years tayong naghintay para sa legislative wage increase,' Adonis said. (So even if the bill has different versions, this should not be a hurdle, and Congress should immediately decide on the final amount and send it to the President for signature. They should not make the workers wait even longer because they have been waiting for this for 36 years.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News
