lO( !;r j. ;
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL 17 P4 '26
SENATE
S. No. 709
RECEIVFC. 57
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A REPORTING MECHANISM FOR ABUSES OF GOVERNMENT 
SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Ayuda abuse betrays public trust and constitutes an exploitation of state 
resources. With the prevalence of government social assistance or ayuda programs in 
the recent years, reports of abuse in the implementation and availing of these 
assistance programs have persisted. Said abuses include, but are not limited to: 
inclusion of ineligible or "ghost" beneficiaries; political patronage in beneficiary 
selection; double-dipping or multiple availment of similar benefits by a single individual 
or household; tampering or falsification of supporting documents; misappropriation or 
diversion of funds by implementing personnel or intermediaries; and, coercion or 
manipulation of beneficiaries by local power holders.
These unethical acts drain the already limited government resources and rob 
the truly deserving Filipinos of the social aid they need. They also undermine public 
confidence in government institutions and weaken the integrity of the programs 
such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps); Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa 
Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD); Assistance to Individuals in Crisis 
Situations (AICS); Ayuda para sa mga Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP); and Social 
Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens.
Accordingly, the results of the April 2025 survey conducted by the Social 
Weather Stations (SWS) showed that 55%, or more than half, of Filipino families 
consider themselves as poor. To escape being poor, the Philippine Statistics Authority
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(PSA) reported that a family with five members needed at least P13,873 per month to 
meet their minimum basic food and non-food needs in 2023. The ayuda programs 
intend to ease these figures.
Thus, this bill seeks to establish an accessible mechanism that will allow the 
public to report abuses, anomalies, and irregularities in the distribution and utilization 
of social assistance programs. This proposed measure includes the following key 
features:
a. creation of a centralized reporting platform;
b. protection of complainants from retaliation and harassment; and
c. penalties for individuals or entities found guilty of abusing social assistance 
systems.
This bill aligns supports the government's commitment to promoting good 
governance and improving public service delivery. By creating an accessible 
mechanism in reporting ayuda abuses, the public plays an active role in monitoring 
social assistance programs, thereby ensuring that government's social aid reaches 
those who need it most.
In view of the foregoing, the enactment of this bill is earnestly sought.


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17
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
cf
25 JIJL 17 P4 :26
SENATE
s. No. 709
RECEll
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A REPORTING MECHANISM FOR ABUSES OF GOVERNMENT 
SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Ayuda Abuse
Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to protect 
the integrity of government social assistance programs designed to serve the intended 
and eligible beneficiaries. The State shall protect the integrity of such programs by 
ensuring the availability of channels for the public to report its abuse or suspected 
abuse.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. -
a. 
Social Assistance or Ayuda Programs refer to programs that give basic protection 
to those who are poor, excluded, discriminated, and marginalized.
b. Abuse means the intentional act of fraud, misrepresentation, falsification or 
misuse of government's social assistance or ayuda programs. This includes, but is not 
limited to:
b.l. inclusion of ineligible or "ghost" beneficiaries;
b.2. political patronage in beneficiary selection;
b.3. double-dipping or multiple availment of similar benefits by a single
individual or household;


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b.4. tampering or falsification of supporting documents;
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b.5. misappropriation or diversion of funds by implementing personnel or
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intermediaries;
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b.6. coercion or manipulation of beneficiaries by local power holders.
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c. Complainant refers to any individual who reports suspected abuse, fraud, misuse
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of government assistance.
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Sec. 4. Coverage. - Social assistance programs under this Act shall cover the
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abuse or suspected abuse of any government social assistance/«?/^/cfer programs
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including, but not limited to the following:
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a. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps);
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b. Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD);
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c. Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS);
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d. Ayuda para sa mga Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP);
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e. Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens; and
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f. Other programs under the Department of Social Welfare and Development
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(DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of
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Agriculture (DA) or local government units (LCDs).
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Sec. 5. Reporting Mechanism. - There shall be a centralized ayuda abuse
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reporting system which shall be operated by the Office of the Ombudsman. This
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includes:
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a. a hotline;
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b. secure online reporting portal; and
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c. mail-in forms.
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Reports may be submitted anonymously. The identity of the complainant shall
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be protected.
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Sec. 6. Investigative and Enforcement Authority. - The Office of the
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Ombudsman shall conduct a preliminary investigation within 15 working days upon
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receipt of a credible report of abuse. If probable abuse is found, the DSWD, DOLE,
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DA or other concerned implementing agencies shall:
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a. Temporarily suspend or withhold the subject ayuda program in the area concerned
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pending full investigation;
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b. File administrative or criminal charges, if applicable;


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In cases involving public officials and employees, the Office of the Ombudsman
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has the authority to investigate and take appropriate action.
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Sec. 7. Public Awareness Campaign. - Within ninety (90) days from the
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effectivity of this Act, the Office of the Ombudsman shall initiate a public awareness
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campaign which informs the public on how to recognize abuse, the consequences of
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ayudaaiQwse. and legal protections of complainants.
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Sec. 8. Protection of Complainants. - No person who reports suspected abuse
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or fraud shall be:
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a. Subject to civil liability;
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b. Face retaliation in the form of discharge, demotion or discrimination;
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c. Have their identity disclosed without their consent, unless required by law.
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In case the complainant applies to become part of the Witness Protection,
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Security and Benefit Program, the provisions of Republic Act No. 6981 or the Witness
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Protection, Security and Benefit Act shall apply.
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Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
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effectivity of this Act, the Office of the Ombudsman shall promulgate the necessary
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rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 10. Penalties. — Any person who violates any provision of this Act shall be
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fined not more than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) or suffer imprisonment of not
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less than six (6) months but not more than one (1) year, or both, and he shall also
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suffer the penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office in case of a
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public official or employee, without prejudice to any administrative or criminal liability
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under existing laws. In addition, any person found guilty of committing abuse of any
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government assistance program shall be liable for repayment of misused funds.
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Sec. 11. Appropriations. - The sum necessary for the effective implementation
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of this Act shall be taken from the Annual General Appropriations Act.
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Sec. 12. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in
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full force and effect.
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Sec. 13. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules, and
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regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
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accordingly.


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Sec. 14. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,