Marcos office defends proposed P4.5-billion confidential, intel funds for 2027

MANILA — The Office of the President on Wednesday defended before the House plenary its request for over P4.5 billion in confidential and intelligence funds for next year, nearly half of its proposed 2027 budget.

OP’s budget sponsor at the House of Representatives, Bataan Second District Rep. Albert Garcia said the funds are used to “protect the safety and security of 115 million Filipinos”, adding that the utilization of confidential and intelligence funds are audited by the Commission on Audit.

Asked to provide more details on the OP’s confidential and intelligence expenses, Garcia said these include activities against communist insurgency, terrorism, transnational crimes, the arrest of former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, and the dismantling of POGOs and scam networks.

When asked about the amounts spent on particular confidential and intelligence activities, Garcia replied that the OP regularly submits a report on CIF utilization to the Office of the House Speaker and the Office of the Senate President.

“We have to respect nature of this fund, talagang confidential in nature, dahil napaka-sensitive ng mga ginagalawang activities nito,” he said.

But ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said: “I take it that is a no… As member of the House, I respectfully request that we be provided with these quarterly reports.” 

Garcia said Tinio’s request is an internal matter, which the lower chamber could deliberate on. When Tinio was about to make a motion regarding his request, House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin suspended the session.

Upon resumption minutes later, Tinio did not proceed with his motion and instead reiterated his standing request to be given a copy of the OP’s accomplishment reports, which were submitted to Congress.

“The sponsor through the Office of the President may comply, as long as it is within the bounds of our rules,” Garin said.

“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 asserted.

The ACT Teachers solon then questioned the Local Government Support Fund, which he tagged as “presidential pork”.

“Kapansin-pansin po ‘yung paglaki ng LGSF starting in the 2026 GAA (General Appropriations Act) and 2027 (National Expenditure Program). ‘Yung (2026) NEP ng LGSF, P16.08 billion, tapos ‘yung GAA ginawa niyang P57.8 billion. And now the 2027 request is for P58.5 billion… We said LGU pork ito ng Presidente. Ang gagawin niya, mamumudmod siya ng mga financial assistance to LGUs. And that is what happened,” Tinio said.

“Mayroong ilang pinagpalang LGU, P500 million or more ang natatanggap… Samantala, the vast majority of LGSF, particular FALGU recipients natatanggap nila P30 million and below. ‘Yun ang question natin, ano ba ang criteria nito and who decides? That’s why we say this is highly discretionary, presidential pork. Kung sino ang malapit sa kusina, ika nga, ‘yun ang makakatanggap ng malaki,” he added.

Garcia disputed this, saying the allocation is supported by jurispriudence, and implemented based on guidelines provided under the law.

“Itong LGSF is part of the General Appropriations Act, which we passed as having the power of the purse. So ine-execute lang ito ng Executive, headed by our President, ang pag-distribute nito according to the guidelines. This is implemented by the DBM, pero demand driven po ito,” Garcia said.

“May portal, at doon po nag-aapply ‘yung iba’t ibang LGU all around the country para humingi po or mag-request ng assistance sa local government support fund. And also, this is supported by jurisprudence, ng mga Supreme Court decision, na sinasabing constitutional ang Local Government Support Fund,” he added. 

The House of Representatives terminated on Wednesday its plenary deliberations on the Office of the President’s proposed P10.15 billion budget for 2027.