Senator Bato Dela Rosa defended the P4.5 billion confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) of the Office of the President (OP) and urged Filipinos to support and trust the government.
In a radio interview, Dela Rosa said the CIF is crucial for the President to execute his duties and responsibilities, adding that the same support must also be accorded to other government agencies.
“Huwag agad magduda.”
“Magtiwala tayo sa ating gobyerno. Mahirap kung wala tayong tiwala. Ganoon din sa sa mga head of agencies. Siya ang nagtalaga sa kanila bilang extension sila ng Presidente. Huwag agad magduda,” Dela Rosa said.
The Senate recently approved the OP’s P8.9 billion budget, of which P4.5 billion fall under CIF.
The legislator said removing the ICF will affect the delivery of good governance by the Chief Executive.
The lawmaker assured the CIF is submitted to the Commission on Audit and the Department of Budget and Management for liquidation.
“’Pag tinanggal mo ‘yan, ginawa mo na inutil ang Presidente.”
“Saan ka naman nakakita na Office of the President na walang intelligence and confidential funds? ‘Pag tinanggal mo ‘yan, ginawa mo na inutil ang Presidente,” the senator said.
He said the CIF is called confidential so as not to make public some strategies of the government.
Other agencies are still waiting for the approval of their CIF, which Dela Rosa said the Senate will carefully scrutinize.
Also approved were the CIF of the Department of Justice and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and their attached agencies and the Department of Energy.
