MANILA – The Philippine Senate is set to convene in a caucus on Wednesday to make a pivotal decision on the future of the Confidential Intelligence Fund (CIF) within the national budget.
According to Philippines News Agency, the caucus will deliberate on whether to discontinue the CIF or to incorporate it into the regular budget, potentially as part of the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) or as a line item. During a DZBB radio interview, Zubiri indicated that Senator Sonny Angara, head of the Committee on Finance, is expected to update on the budget deliberations that took place in October. Zubiri explained the importance of the meeting: “The CIF can be realigned to the intelligence sector. We need to decide if we will totally scrap it or what remains will be included in the MOOE or line budget.” He further stressed that regardless of the category under which CIF funds are allocated, accountability would remain a key aspect. The Senate has expressed intentions to re-examine the existing guidelines for the release and audit of the CIF as outlined in Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2015-01, citing concerns that the provisions are excessively broad and could potentially encompass an overly wide range of activities. This circular specifies the permissible uses of the CIF, which include national security-related purchases of information, rental of vehicles for confidential activities, and maintenance of safe houses, among others. Zubiri emphasized the need for simplified guidelines and a more narrowed scope to prevent the CIF from becoming a catch-all funding source for undefined purposes.