A group of public school teachers in Marikina City is raising the alarm over a controversial distribution of financial aid meant for their colleagues. The cash assistance came through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. What’s fueling the uproar? The program was led by Marikina 2nd District Representative Stella Quimbo, who is currently campaigning for Marikina mayor.
In a heartfelt letter, the teachers—who chose to stay anonymous—urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to launch an investigation. They fear this financial aid could be a guise for vote-buying or an abuse of government resources just as election season heats up. To back their claims, the group submitted videos and photos as evidence.
“The Comelec must determine if this is vote-buying or wielding power to manipulate votes—both strictly prohibited by law,” the teachers emphasized. They specifically called on Comelec Chairman George Garcia to act swiftly on this issue.
But the teachers didn’t stop there. Their concerns were also sent to the Department of Education (DepEd), DSWD, and the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
What makes the situation even more puzzling is the context. Details about the DSWD aid were announced during a Project TEACH meeting. The payout, conducted from April 21 to 23, 2025, took place at Marikina’s Q Civic Center, with Quimbo reportedly present.
“This raises red flags because public school teachers are not considered poor or in crisis—criteria usually required for DSWD assistance,” the group said. They added that some teachers were asked to help verify IDs and documents, while others were told to submit their own IDs to be listed as recipients.
The teachers are now calling on DepEd to investigate without delay. They also urge everyone to steer clear of political activities involving money during the election period.
“The DSWD must explain why teachers are included in the AICS program at this sensitive time, especially if the aid serves political purposes,” the group stated. They further requested the CSC to consider administrative actions against those responsible for the payout.
As of now, Representative Quimbo has yet to respond to the allegations.
The controversy casts a spotlight on election ethics and government aid distribution—issues that demand swift and transparent resolution. The coming days will reveal how authorities will handle these serious claims as Eleksyon 2025 draws near.