Manila 6th District Representative Benny Abante backed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s allocation for confidential funds, stating that the President’s role as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines underscores his responsibility over national security matters.
The lawmaker delivered the statement ahead of the House Committee on Appropriations’ review of the Office of the President’s proposed ₱7.2-trillion national budget for 2027.
“I think we have to remember that the President is also the commander in chief of the Armed Forces. Therefore, he has all the right to have a confidential fund,” Abante said in a virtual press briefing.
For fiscal year 2027, the Office of the President requested ₱4.55 billion in confidential and intelligence funds—matching its 2026 allocation. The requested budget consists of ₱2.25 billion in confidential funds and ₱2.3 billion in intelligence funds.
Total confidential and intelligence fund proposals across the entire government stand at ₱10.773 billion, representing an 8.8 percent reduction from this year’s ₱11.818 billion. The complete allocation breaks down into ₱4.368 billion for confidential funds and ₱6.405 billion for intelligence funds.
The budget proposal comes amid the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, the President’s leading critic in government, which involves allegations regarding the misuse of confidential funds.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, who heads the Senate Committee on Finance, previously stated that secret funds should strictly go to agencies with mandates tied to law enforcement, intelligence, and national security.
Abante argued that the executive office meets these criteria given the President’s military leadership role and the security risks tied to the presidency, including threats cited in Article IV of Duterte’s impeachment complaint.
The complaint references a recorded November 23, 2024 press conference where Duterte claimed she instructed an operative to target Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were killed.
“Palagay ko naman alam na po natin bilang commander in chief ng Armed Forces, bilang siya rin po ang subject ng mga threat, especially ng Vice President. Aba, eh kinakailangan po naman na meron po talagang confidential fund ang ating Pangulo,” Abante stated.
However, the lawmaker emphasized that transparency and proper utilization must still govern the use of these discretionary resources.
“Kinakailangan po nating malaman lamang paano gagamitin ’yan, saan gagamitin ’yan,” he added.
The Department of Budget and Management affirmed that confidential and intelligence appropriations under the proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program are restricted to agencies authorized by law, maintaining that standard auditing, utilization, and liquidation guidelines will apply.