Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) — The Office of the Ombudsman has made an official request to substantially reduce its confidential funds for the next two years.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires said this request to Congress, which is deliberating on the proposed 2024 budget, is in line with his policy pronouncement, and to shield the office from issues attached to the controversial fund.
“Consistent with my earlier pronouncement on the matter, I would like to officially request that notwithstanding its investigative functions, that the Office of the Ombudsman be appropriated the amount of One Million Pesos (₱1,000,000.00) for its Confidential and Intelligence Fund (CIF) in FYs 2024 and 2025 or until the end of my term of office as Ombudsman,” Martires said in a letter dated Oct. 6 addressed to Senate finance committee chairman Sonny Angara.
He sent a similar letter addressed to House appropriations committee chairman Zaldy Co.
The Ombudsman’s current CIF is ₱51 million. The constitutional body investigates and prosecutes government officials linked to graft and corruption.
In a Senate budget hearing, Martires said he would rather not have CIF during his term “if it will only taint the integrity of the office.”
