REELECT TINGOG Party-list Representative Jude Acidre on Wednesday expressed his opposition to proposals calling for a total removal of confidential funds across government agencies and local government units (LGUs), citing their strategic role in addressing public safety and security concerns.
“Hindi naman natin pwedeng alisin totally ang confidential funds, especially in some municipalities, LGUs, or even government agencies where they play a vital role in activities related to public order, security, and even anti-insurgency efforts,” Acidre said in a press conference.
He was responding to a question on whether LGUs should still have such funds following the statements of some newly elected officials, including former Vice President and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, that they would not have such allocations in their LGUs.
Acidre said the retention or removal of appropriations for intelligence gathering should not be based on abuses committed in the past on the use of the money, apparently alluding to irregularities the House has unearthed in the utilization of more than P600 million confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) by the offices of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Ako honestly, I think personal ko itong opinyon, dapat hindi natin hinuhusgahan ang mga pondo dahil sa mga nang-abuso dito. We have to also learn, we must also be able to ascertain the usefulness and certain mechanism with the merits with the good that they were able to do. And the same is with confidential fund,” he said.
He said there are local government units that need intelligence funds due to local conditions.
“May LGUs na nakakatulong ang confidential funds specially kung may security threats na nakaloob. Ayaw naman nating gawin one size fits all lahat for all LGUs,” he added.
Acidre suggested measures to curb abuses in the use of intelligence funds by state agencies and LGUs, including prescribing stricter requirements for those handling the money.
“So, ano ang pwede nating hakbang? Ang mga kinakailangan nating hakbang katulad nung mga nakaraan sa 19th Congress, paiitingin natin ang mga guidelines sa paggamit ng mga confidential funds. Isa yun, siguro pagsasabatas nung mga joint memorandun circular na ginagamit yun at pagbibigay ng mas focused na legislation dun sa mga pananagutan ng mga SDOs (special disbursing officers) pati qualification nila. Dun sa paggamit ng fidelity bonds ng ating mga SDOs at lahat ng may custody ng mga confidential funds,” he said.
He said what is important is the legal framework governing the use of CIFs.
“Marami tayong natutunan na mga gaps, regulatory gaps, practices na kailangang ayusin dun sa hearing nating ng Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability nung nakaraang Kongreso at yun siguro ang kailangan nating gawin,” he said.
“Ang mahalaga lang maisaayos natin ang legal framework at yung paano gagamitin and also to be sure na merong sapat na oversight ang COA for example at even yung mga ibang agencies na may ganitong pananagutan,” he stressed.
Among the House findings in its investigation into the use of CIFs by the Office of Vice President Sara Duterte and the Department of Education when she was its secretary included the questionable disbursement of P125 million in just 11 days.
The COA has flagged a large portion of the more than P600 million in CIFs received by VP Duterte’s offices, including more than P70 million that has been disallowed.
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