By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(August 5, 2024) – A lawmaker on Monday sounded the alarm on the increasing confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) of the Office of the President (OP), asking the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) about the allocation.
Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel questioned if the OP acts as an intelligence agency, citing its CIF that rose by P60 million from P2.25 billion during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte to P2.310 billion under Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr.
Manuel made his thoughts known during the first day of deliberations for the proposed P6.352 trillion 2025 national budget in the House of Representatives.
“Yung P4.5 billion annually na confidential and intelligence funds para ‘yung P12.5 million na confidential and intelligence funds per day for the Office of the President,” said Manuel.
He furthered by lamenting that under the proposal, Marcos’ office has a higher CIF than the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) for next year. The DBM allocated only over P990 million worth of CIF for NICA.
“Sa tingin natin, parang supposedly isang civilian agency na nag-o-oversee sa lahat ng mga ahensya (ang OP),” added Manuel. “Tinalo pa niya ‘yung NICA.”
In response, DBM secretary Amenah Pangandaman said it’s part of the mandate of the OP to act as an intelligence agency.
“He’s (Marcos) the commander-in-chief,” said Pangandaman, noting the inputs of security agencies.
Last week, the DBM handed over the proposed 2025 National Expenditure Program to Congress for further scrutiny. It noted a decrease in CIF by limiting it to government agencies that need them the most.
ALSO READ: Confidential, intelligence funds in 2025 national budget drop by 16%, says DBM
During last year’s national budget deliberations, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte-Carpio drew flak for requesting a combined P650 million worth of CIF for the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education. She later withdrew the request after being slammed by the lower chamber.
Lawmakers also questioned the 11-day spending of the OVP of P125 million worth of CIF in 2022. She never explained the matter.
(With reports from Meanne Los Baños-Oroceo, News5)
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