Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang defended the proposed ₱4.5-billion confidential funds for the Office of the President (OP) under the 2026 national budget as these are not inherently bad if used properly.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the amount is necessary for the president’s role.“Tandaan po natin, ito din naman po ay nanggaling sa DBM (Department of Budget and Management), that the president is the commander-in-chief and chief architect of national policy or national security and foreign policy at kinakailangan ng pondo ng pangulo,” Castro said.[Translation: Okay, let us remember, this also came from the DBM – that the president is the commander-in-chief and chief architect of national policy or national security and foreign policy, and the president needs funding.]“Ang confidential funds o ang pera ay hindi naman masama kung ginagamit sa tama. Ang confidential funds or pondo ay nagiging masama kung ginagamit ng isang corrupt, iyon lang naman po,” she added. [Translation: Confidential funds or money is not bad if used correctly. They only become bad if used by a corrupt person – that’s all.]Castro’s remarks came in response to comments from former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno, who earlier said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had “no moral ascendancy” over Vice President Sara Duterte when it comes to confidential funds amid their supposed questionable use.She said proper reporting and use of the funds are key.
CIF in 2026
The administration is proposing a total of ₱10.77 billion in confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) in the ₱6.793-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2026, said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.The proposed CIF is lower than the current ₱12.1 billion by ₱1.35 billion or 11.18%The Office of the President will receive the lion’s share at ₱4.5 billion, followed by the Department of National Defense with ₱1.848 billion.The Office of the Vice President, meanwhile, will have no CIF allocation for the second straight year after earlier stating it did not request such funds for 2026.
