Ranking House lawmakers seek to redirect confidential funds to PCG, other agencies

MANILA, Philippines — Following heated debates at the House of Representatives over the alleged excessive allocation of confidential and intelligence funds in civilian agencies, ranking lawmakers have “collectively” decided to redirect the secret funds to agencies “chiefly responsible for intelligence and surveillance.”

Citing fresh incidents of Chinese aggression, including the Chinese Coast Guard’s installation of physical barriers in Scarborough Shoals, party leaders at the lower chamber said they want confidential and intelligence funds to be reallocated to the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), National Security Council (NSC), Philippine Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

“Recognizing the rising security threats in the West Philippine Sea and the need to secure top officials, these agencies are better positioned to counteract security threats, protect our territorial waters, and secure the rights and access of Filipino fishermen to traditional fishing grounds,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

Signatories of the statement are the following:

• Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) President Rep. Michael John Duavit (Rizal, 1st District)
• Lakas-CMD Secretary-General Rep. Jose "Joboy" Aquino II (Agusan del Norte 1st district)
• Nacionalista Party (NP) Member Rep. Eleandro Jesus "Budoy" Madrona (Romblon)
• Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) Vice President for Mindanao Rep. Johnny Pimentel (Surigao del Sur, 2nd District)
• National Unity Party President (NUP) Rep. LRay Villafuerte (Camarines Sur)
• Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI) Member Rep. Angelica Natasha Co (BHW Partylist)

The House is ruled by a supermajority composed of