Confi, intel funds of several civilian agencies justifiable –Angara

The proposed confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) of several civilian agencies could be justified during the deliberations on the 2024 national budget, Senator Sonny Angara said on Monday.

Angara, chairperson of the Senate Finance Committee, added that it would be reasonable to grant the CIFs of these agencies given their functions.

“Like the DOJ, it’s a civilian agency, but they have a witness protection program, for instance. They have to protect witnesses, and that has to be carried out in secrecy,” he explained in an ANC interview.

“So, you expect that the budget of that will be like you’ll have a safe house for your witnesses, if you have to purchase information in certain cases, if you’re pursuing certain cases and you cannot gather information, then that’s something that I think maybe is justified.”

As for the Department of Agriculture (DA), Angara said its proposed P50 million CIF could be used for data gathering to fight agricultural smuggling.

The P300 million CIF for the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), meanwhile, could be used to improve the country’s cybersecurity.

He also said that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) could use the sought P50 million CIF to address national security issues in pursuit of foreign policy.

“There are many cases when these expenses are justified. But again, it’s up to each agency, that they have to justify why they need it in pursuance of which program,” Angara said.

Data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed that the CIF proposed for next year totaled P10.142 billion.

This was higher by P120 million than the P10.02 billion set aside for the CIF in 2023.

Angara said he believed the CIF for some agencies, like the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), should be increased given the tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

“Depending on the situation, I think you have to adjust. Like now, there’s increasing tensions in certain parts of the country. So definitely, you need to pay attention to these issues. I think that deserves increased funding. Whatever the threats are, then you should respond accordingly with the budget,” the senator furthered.

The largest share of the proposed CIF will go to the Office of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. with P4.51 billion. The DA—likewise headed by Marcos—is also set to get P50 million.

The proposed CIF also includes P500 million for the Office of Vice President Sara Duterte, along with P150 million for the Department of Education (DepEd), which she also leads.

Other departments with CIF are the Departments of National Defense (DND) with P1.89 billion, the Interior and Local Government (DILG) with P906.62 million, Justice (DOJ) with P471.29 million, Information and Communications Technology (DICT) with P300 million, Finance (DOF) with P111 million, Foreign Affairs (DFA) with P50 million, Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with P18 million, Transportation (DOTr) with P15.6 million, and the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with P13.95 million.

Other executive offices have been allocated a CIF of P1.035 billion, the Office of the Ombudsman with P51.468 million, the Commission on Audit (COA) with P10 million, and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) with P1 million. — DVM, GMA Integrated News