Manila: The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) announced on Thursday that it has received an additional PHP162.9 million in funding for the year 2026, which has significantly bolstered its efforts to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its operations.
According to Philippines News Agency, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor and AMLC Chairman Eli Remolona Jr. highlighted the impact of this funding during a Senate Finance Committee hearing. The hearing took place nearly a year after the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee scrutinized the nation's anti-money laundering protocols, especially in light of large cash transactions tied to the flood control scandal.
Remolona elaborated that PHP125 million from the additional budget has been dedicated to enhancing AI capabilities. This includes investments in capacity-building and hiring experts adept at utilizing AI technology efficiently. "Ang P125 million, napunta yan sa AI. Tapos ang capacity building. Kailangan din ng mga experts sa paggamit ng AI. So gamit na gamit po ang budget na yan," he emphasized, while addressing a query from Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson during the Development Budget Coordinating Committee's briefing on the proposed 2027 national budget.
The inquiry from Lacson focused on how the additional funds have impacted the AMLC, emphasizing the Senate's role in overseeing budget allocations. The Senate Finance Committee, previously chaired by now-Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, played a pivotal role in restoring the AMLC's budget to PHP333 million for 2026 in the Senate's version of the budget bill. This was a marked increase from the PHP170.161 million initially proposed in the National Expenditure Program (NEP), following Lacson's recommendation.
In September 2025, Lacson had assured the AMLC of his support in securing necessary funding, recognizing the inadequacy of the initial budget allocation. The decision to enhance the budget came amidst Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings that focused on substantial cash dealings connected to the flood control controversy.
Lacson had further noted that while the AMLC requested PHP333.1 million for 2026 from the Department of Budget and Management, it only received PHP170.16 million in the NEP. The additional funding is expected to significantly aid the AMLC in its mission to combat money laundering and related corruption activities.
