Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) — The Makabayan bloc wants Congress to realign the confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) of government agencies to programs that will help uplift the lives of Filipinos, Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said Thursday.
The lawmaker noted that the Office of the President, the Office of the Vice President (OVP), and the Department of Education (DepEd) have proposed CIFs of ₱4.5 billion, ₱500 million, and ₱150 million, respectively.
In total, the Marcos administration seeks ₱9.2 billion in CIFs for 2024.
READ: Marcos admin seeks ₱9.2B in confidential, intel funds for 2024
“The Makabayan bloc is in the position of totally—puwede namang wala, puwede namang i-channel na lang natin sa mga basic service natin na kailangan,” Brosas told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
“Mag-zero budget tayo diyan kasi ang kailangan natin pangtulong talaga sa ating mga mamamayan na nasa krisis ngayon,” she added.
[Translation: The Makabayan bloc is in the position of totally—this can be removed, this can be channeled to basic services that we need. The budget for confidential and intelligence funds must be zero because we really need funds to help our people who are in crisis.]
According to Brosas, the CIFs during the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III were only at ₱500 million, and these started increasing during the Duterte administration.
The lawmaker also said that although there are guidelines from the Commission on Audit (COA) on the use of CIFs, these are still not enough to ensure transparency on the use of the funds.
Brosas reiterated that instead of allocating billions of pesos to CIFs, the money should instead be used to fund programs that will help Filipinos like those for social services, agriculture, and assistance to those hit by disasters.
During the deliberations on the 2023 budget last year, the CIFs were also questioned, particularly DepEd’s CIF as the bicameral committee restored the agency’s ₱150-million confidential fund after the Senate slashed it to ₱30 million.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte defended the agency’ s CIF, saying it would be used to fight crimes targeting learners and teachers.
