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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Di niyo pera yan': Tulfo slams solons opposing 'anti-epal' rule in aid distribution

'Di niyo pera yan': Tulfo slams solons opposing 'anti-epal' rule in aid distribution

Published Jun 18, 2026 10:39 am
Senator Erwin Tulfo remained firm that no politician should be distributing financial assistance (ayuda) because that is the people's money.
Senator Erwin Tulfo (Senate PRIB photo)
Senator Erwin Tulfo (Senate PRIB photo)
Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development, on Wednesday, June 17, condemned the move by some congressmen to pause the progress of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Act.
The bicameral conference committee (BICAM) report for the AICS Act was scheduled to be finalized before the Special Session adjourned on 17 June, but several congressmen allegedly refused to sign due to the current state of Section 17 of the bill.
"They refuse to sign and want—they are requesting to thoroughly study certain provisions of the proposed bill, particularly Section 17, which states that politicians are prohibited from distributing financial assistance, especially from the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development). They said they want to study that part," Tulfo stated in Filipino.
Senator Erwin also apologized to his colleagues in the Senate, as they waited during the session to no avail because of the apparent "deadlock" over the bill. This comes despite the AICS Act being a priority bill of the current Marcos administration.
Had the bicameral approval been completed on June 17, only the President's signature would be needed for the AICS Act to officially become law.
"The goal of this law is to provide aid to all Filipinos, not just the poorest of the poor. Even employed individuals facing a crisis can receive assistance here. That is why we are pushing to institutionalize this, so that funding is continuous and implementation is more efficient," Tulfo further said.
Although the finalization of the AICS Act will still be discussed in the bicameral conference committee, Tulfo emphasized that the Senate has already approved the said "anti-epal" (anti-credit-grabbing) provision and it was even included in the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
"I have long heard that AICS is constantly being used to dole out goods to our countrymen in exchange for their votes. We are trying to stop that tradition, or whatever you want to call it," Tulfo said.

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Erwin Tulfo House of Representatives AICS Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation
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