Malacañang stood firm on its proposal to allocate P4.5 billion in confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) for the Office of the President (OP) in 2026, asserting that the amount is essential for the country’s top leader to carry out his national security and foreign policy mandates.
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Justification for the Allocation
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that the CIF was a necessary tool for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as commander-in-chief.
“The president is the commander-in-chief and the chief architect of national security and foreign policy. The president needs these confidential and intelligence funds to do its mandate,” Castro said.
She also stressed that the funds were not inherently problematic when handled correctly.
“We must remember: confidential funds are not bad if they are spent properly. Confidential funds only become bad when they are used by corrupt officials,” she added.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman earlier revealed that the proposed CIF across all agencies in the P6.793-trillion 2026 National Expenditure Program amounts to P10.77 billion, 11 percent lower than last year’s P12.1 billion. Of this total, the OP’s allocation is the largest, followed by the Department of National Defense with P1.8 billion and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency with P1.141 billion.
Critics Question the Need
Former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno renewed calls to abolish the OP’s CIF, arguing that intelligence agencies already under the President’s control should receive the bulk of such funding.
“The President does not need such a large amount for confidential and intelligence funds because the intelligence agencies are already under his authority,” Magno said.
She added that Congress, dominated by the President’s allies, shared responsibility if questionable CIF allocations continued.
Context and Controversy
The CIF issue has been under heightened public scrutiny since allegations surfaced in 2022 against Vice President Sara Duterte over the misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds during her tenure as vice president and education secretary.
The controversy contributed to her impeachment proceedings, though the Supreme Court later nullified the case on procedural grounds. Castro dismissed comparisons between Marcos and Duterte, saying proper reporting and documentation made the OP’s CIF defensible.
Broader Budget Notes
Aside from the CIF, the Palace is seeking P17 billion for hosting the ASEAN Summit next year, citing substantial costs for security and logistics. It is also defending funding for the president’s domestic and international travels, describing them as essential for disaster inspections and foreign investment promotion.
The ongoing debate over the CIF underscores the persistent tension between government transparency and operational secrecy. While supporters frame the allocation as vital for safeguarding national security, critics warn that without stronger oversight, such funds risk becoming tools for unchecked spending—potentially eroding public trust in the country’s highest office.
