Confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) allocated to the Office of the President (OP) are intended to support national security, peace and order, and the protection of Filipinos, a House sponsor of the proposed 2027 national budget said during plenary deliberations.
Bataan 2nd District Rep. Albert Garcia, senior vice-chair of the House Appropriations Committee and sponsor of the OP’s 2027 budget, defended the allocation during the House plenary deliberation on the 2027 General Appropriations Bill.
“Bottom line, yung (the) intelligence fund po is for national security and confidential funds, for peace and order,” Garcia said.
Garcia said the funds support measures intended to help ensure the safety and security of around 115 million Filipinos.
He also said the allocation represents only a small portion of the proposed national budget for 2027.
According to Garcia, the use of the funds is subject to audit by the Commission on Audit (COA) under existing guidelines.
During his interpellation, Kalookan 2nd District Rep. Edgar “Egay” Erice said the OP’s CIF allocation was justified amid concerns involving the West Philippine Sea.
Garcia also cited COA’s unmodified opinion on the Office of the President, which he said reflects the agency’s compliance with government auditing requirements.
Photo courtesy of PCO
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