Manila: Civilian government agencies may no longer receive confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) under the proposed 2027 national budget as the Senate moves to restrict such allocations to offices directly involved in law enforcement, national security, and investigation. Senate Committee on Finance chairperson JV Ejercito announced on Tuesday that stricter scrutiny of CIF allocations will be an integral part of the Senate's deliberations on the proposed PHP7.2-trillion spending plan.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ejercito emphasized that the proposed budget would limit CIF allocations to law enforcement agencies and national agencies involved in national security and investigation. "We will limit it to the law enforcement agencies, to the national agencies which has something to do with national security and investigation," Ejercito stated during a press conference. "Ito 'yung usual eh (This is the usual practice). So, civilian agencies will not anymore be able to avail of the Confidential Intelligence Fund," he added.
Ejercito further clarified that the Office of the President (OP) would be an exception to this rule, considering the President's role as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He noted the necessity of access to sensitive information concerning national security for the President. "Office of the President is an exception because the President is our Commander-in-Chief," he said. "Definitely, kung meron man may alam, may mas kailangan (if there is anyone who needs) information, confidential information, especially with national security, the President has to know, being the Commander-in-Chief," Ejercito added.
The senator also stressed that the allocation of confidential funds does not exempt an agency from being accountable. "Hindi naman ibig sabihin na confidential fund, hindi na 'yan accountable (It does not mean that just because these are confidential funds, they are no longer subject to accountability)," he stated. Ejercito emphasized the importance of adhering to existing safeguards and guidelines governing the use of confidential funds to ensure that public money is properly spent.
The finance committee has commenced its scrutiny of the proposed 2027 national budget, with Ejercito committed to enhancing transparency and accountability measures throughout the budget process. He previously indicated that the committee would no longer accept last-minute budget insertions during the bicameral conference and that amendments should instead be introduced openly during plenary deliberations.
