Not all government agencies are entitled to confidential and intelligence funds, according to Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.
“All agencies not entitled to CIFs because of the nature of their functions and the extent of their mandate must be deprived of secret funds in their entirety and a mere reduction must not suffice,” he said.
He reacted to reports that the questionable allocations of CIFs to several agencies would only be reduced.
“There is no rhyme nor reason for an agency not entitled to CIFs to retain any appropriation at all as an accommodation or courtesy allocation,” he said.
“Non-entitlement to CIFs is absolute and deprivation of appropriation must be total,” he stressed.
Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin earlier said the number of government agencies asking for confidential funds has increased, citing it has ballooned from 16 agencies in 2012 to 28 agencies in 2024.
She reminded agencies that requests for CIFs which appeared to be fashionable among government agencies, must not be abused.
“Many have joined the fad, and that there have been abuses. If we look at the historical data, the jump started in 2017,” the lady lawmaker said.
She revealed that she has submitted proposed amendments to the Small Committee convened by the leadership of the House of Representatives.
She is the vice chairperson of the committee on appropriations.
She underscored the urgency of reallocating confidential funds within agencies, such as the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Transportation, Office of Transportation Security and Office of the Solicitor General.
She stressed the critical need to redirect such funds toward anti-smuggling campaigns while supporting the essential activities of the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, safeguarding the West Philippine Sea and our invaluable fishing grounds.
She cited the total confidential fund in 2016 was P720 million and escalated in 2017 to P2.07 billion and it doubled in 2020, amounting to P4.57 billion.
An agency may only avail of confidential funds for as long as this could be justified and proven that such is necessary.
Under the Special Provision of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2022, stated that confidential funds are lump sum amounts for expenses related to “surveillance activities in
The House of Representatives’ small committee created to receive and resolve individual amendments to House Bill No. 8980 or the 2024 GAA bill has held its first organizational meeting, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co disclosed.
“There are numerous budget items lined up for amendments and/or realignment including the Confidential and Intelligence Funds (CIF) of various civilian agencies,” Co said in a statement.
“As authorized by the House and consistent with parliamentary precedent, the small committee has until October 10, 2023 to finish its task. Since the proposed amendments are of great interest to media and the Filipino people, we shall announce the changes at the proper time,” he said.
“In the meantime, please bear with us and allow us to perform our assigned tasks as mandated by the House of Representatives,” Co added.
