Congress to realign secret, intel funds to security agencies

OVP, DepEd confidential funds to be affected by realignment

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate and four House of Representatives leaders have agreed to reallocate confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) from civilian government agencies to agencies responsible for intelligence and surveillance.

The reallocation will help the Philippines improve its defenses against cybercrime and China’s aggressions in the West Philippine Sea.

During Senate deliberations yesterday on the proposed 2024 budget of the Department of National Defense (DND), Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri vowed to augment the country’s defense spending budget.

“We are fully committed to support your budget, and the reason being they are fully committed to support and defend our country, no matter what it takes, even with their lives,” Zubiri said.

“We will not allow ourselves to be bullied by our neighbor in the north... We need a defense spending budget. You’ll see a drastic difference in your budget come December,” he added, referring to China.

The House leadership has also decided to reallocate CIF away from civilian agencies.

In a joint statement yesterday, four leaders of dominant political parties said they will reallocate funds to agencies responsible for intelligence and surveillance, such as the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), National Security Council (NSC), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The lawmakers expressed “serious concern” over the China Coast Guard’s recent installation of a 300-meter ball-buoy barrier southeast of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).

“This action not only impedes the rights and livelihoods of our Filipino fishermen but also disrupts the prevailing