THERE is a significant decrease in confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) under the proposed 2025 national budget compared to its allocation in the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
According to Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, the agency approved a total of PHP 10.29 billion for CIFs, with PHP 4.37 billion allocated for Confidential Expenses and PHP 5.92 billion for Intelligence Expenses.
In the 2024 GAA, the allocation for confidential and intelligence funds was approximately PHP 12.38 billion.
Pangandaman stated that the allocation for confidential and intelligence funds in the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) decreased by 16% compared to its allocation in the 2024 GAA.
The Secretary revealed that DBM received a total CIF budget proposal of PHP 11.39 billion from various agencies, with PHP 5.22 billion for Confidential Funds and PHP 6.17 billion for Intelligence Funds.
The budget chief emphasized that agencies must adhere to guidelines for using confidential and intelligence funds.
Pangandaman mentioned that confidential and intelligence funds will be allocated to the Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Department of Justice, Department of National Defense, Department of Transportation, Anti-Money Laundering Council, Games and Amusement Board, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, National Security Council, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Office of the Ombudsman, and other agencies.
However, Pangandaman did not mention the Office of the Vice President among the agencies to be allocated confidential funds in 2025.
The Office of the President (OP), on the other hand, will have PHP 4.5 billion in confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) allocation for the proposed 2025 national budget, the same amount as allocated for the office in 2024.
“The rest are very minimal amounts, like the Commission on Human Rights, Commission on Audit. That’s why it decreased; we limited it to departments and agencies that need confidential and intel funds,” according to Sec. Amenah Pangandaman, DBM.
‘Unprogrammed funds’ in the 2025 NEP reaches over P158-B
Meanwhile, Pangandaman revealed that the unprogrammed appropriations fund for fiscal year 2025 amounts to PHP 158.67 billion.
The Secretary explained that unprogrammed funds serve as reserve resources that the government can access in response to emergencies and unforeseen events.
The Secretary also mentioned that measures are in place to prevent misuse of the unprogrammed appropriations fund for fiscal year 2025.
Pangandaman assured the public that there are strong safeguards, particularly for the contingent fund.
The amount allocated for the contingent fund remains the same as in previous years at PHP 13 billion.
To recall, that DBM officially submitted the 2025 NEP to the House of Representatives on July 29 this year.
