DOJ pressed over P1.5-B confidential funds in 2025; Vida says funds fully liquidated

ACT Teachers Party-List Representative Antonio Tinio on Monday questioned the Department of Justice (DOJ) on its use of at least P1.5 billion in confidential funds in 2025.

During the budget hearing of the DOJ and its attached agencies, Tinio said the DOJ's confidential funds climbed to P1.5 billion in 2025 from P168 million in 2024.

“Isang bilyong pisong cash ‘yan… we’re talking about P1 billion. Quarterly, tig P250 million at least. Saan niyo ginamit ito?” Tinio said.

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said of that P1.184 billion was used by the secretary, P319 million was used by the Witness Protection Program, P15 million by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, P475,000 by the Office of the Cybercrime, and P5 million was used by the National Coordination Center Against OSAEC and CSAEM.

Vida said the amount, used under the term of then Justice Secretary and Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, was fully liquidated.

“Base sa record namin, ito po lahat ay disbursed and liquidated pursuant to the COA circular,” he said.

He also affirmed that the Commission on Audit did not issue any notice of disallowance.

Tinio, meanwhile, called on his colleagues to “bring back rationality” in the budgeting of agencies.

“Nagsimula po ang ganitong sobrang paglobo ng confidential and intelligence funds, sa ilalim ng Duterte presidency. Unfortunately, pinagpatuloy at pinalala pa ng Marcos administration, katulad ng kaso sa DOJ,” he said.

(This excessive increase in confidential and intelligence funds began under the Duterte presidency. Unfortunately, the Marcos administration continued and even worsened it, as in the case of the DOJ.)

“That is a historic high, correct? Times 10. So malala na po ito, Mr. Chair. Let’s bring back rationality to the budgeting of agencies. Hindi pwedeng dahil sabihin mo national security, law enforcement and so on, confidential or hindi,” he added.

(That is a historic high, correct? Times 10. So this is already serious, Mr. Chair. Let’s bring back rationality to the budgeting of agencies. It cannot be that simply because you say national security, law enforcement, and so on, it is automatically considered confidential.) –NB, GMA News