QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The Office of the President (OP) stood by its proposed ₱4.5-billion allocation for confidential and intelligence funds for 2027 as lawmakers scrutinized the budget during House plenary debates on Wednesday.
The requested intelligence allocations make up roughly half of the executive office’s total budget proposal for the coming year.
Sponsoring the OP’s budget, Bataan 2nd District Representative Albert Garcia argued that the funds are essential to “protect the safety and security of 115 million Filipinos.” He added that all disbursements remain accountable to oversight and auditing by the Commission on Audit (COA).
Garcia pointed out that the requested funds cover operations targeting communist insurgency, terrorism, and transnational syndicates. He highlighted recent security operations, including the arrest of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, as well as joint efforts to shut down illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and online scam centers.
When asked to provide a granular itemization of expenses for specific operations, Garcia explained that the executive branch submits regular financial utilization reports directly to the leadership of both legislative chambers rather than detailing them publicly.
“We have to respect nature of this fund, talagang confidential in nature, dahil napaka-sensitive ng mga ginagalawang activities nito,” Garcia stated.
ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio pressed whether rank-and-file lawmakers would be allowed access to those utilization details.
“I take it that is a no… As member of the House, I respectfully request that we be provided with these quarterly reports,” Tinio said.
Garcia answered that fulfilling such a request remains an internal decision for the House leadership to evaluate.
As Tinio prepared to file a formal motion regarding the request, House Deputy Speaker and Iloilo 1st District Representative Janette Garin abruptly suspended the proceedings.
Upon resumption, Tinio withdrew the motion but formally asked for copies of the OP’s submitted accomplishment reports.
“The sponsor through the Office of the President may comply, as long as it is within the bounds of our rules,” Garin ruled.
Tinio, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the response, maintaining that the executive branch continues to withhold basic financial details from public scrutiny.
“Ang malinaw talaga walang transparency, kahit man lang doon sa general breakdown ng kung paano ginagamit ang confidential ang intelligence funds ay tinatanggihan po ng Office of the President,” Tinio said.