PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday dared Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman to proceed with his suggestion to slash the higher confidential and intelligence funds that he requested from Congress on the condition that Lagman solve the worsening problem of illegal drugs on his own.
Speaking in defense of the Office of the President’s proposed budget before Congress, Duterte said the more than P2.5 billion in confidential and intelligence funds, up from this year’s P500-million budget, will be spent wisely.
“I have so many fights. He can be very sure that that money will go to either the soldiers or to the police,” Duterte said in another midnight press briefing in Davao City.
“I should have a budget to buy information. I’m fighting a crisis, but in the end there should be no worry. If you don’t want to give it to me it’s okay, but you take care of the problem.”
Duterte made his statement even as NBI agents arrested the wife of a Nigerian national for possession of illegal drugs during a raid in Silang, Cavite, on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, embattled Albuera, Leyte, Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. sought police protection as he executed an affidavit on Wednesday disclosing the names of government officials allegedly protecting the illegal drug traders in Eastern Visayas.
Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar said although Espinosa provided them the list, the authorities will not use it against the mayor but rather as a “tactical value.”
On Wednesday, Lagman cautioned Congress against approving the budget of the Office of the President, citing the rise in summary killings of suspected drug pushers.
Lagman said the fund would be subjected to abuse,since there would be no paper trail.
“The inordinate 400-percent increase in the President’s confidential and intelligence funds… is alarming in the face of the extra-judicial and shortcut procedures employed by the present administration in pursuing its announced priorities,” Lagman said.
“Due to the suspect nature of the confidential and intelligence funds, the Executive must be judicious or prudent in proposing huge appropriations for these expense items.”
But Duterte assured Congress he would not pocket the funds he was requesting.
“I won’t ask for something that I will pocket myself. All of these things will be used, especially the intelligence funds,” Duterte said.
Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno allayed concerns that the funds would be misused.
“Let me say that this is subject for review by the Commission on Audit, both funds,” Diokno said. I don’t mind giving him a bigger budget for intelligence and confidential [operations] because he’s showing results.” With PNA
