MANILA: The proposed confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) for the Office of the President (OP) in 2025 are vital in addressing urgent security issues confronting the country, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has said.
This, as Pangandaman defended the allocation of CIF to the OP following concerns raised by Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel during the House Committee on Appropriations’ hearing on the proposed 2025 national budget on Tuesday.
Pangandaman said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. played a critical role in maintaining national security.
‘He is the President, Commander-in-Chief, and the overall architect of national security and foreign policy in the Philippines,” she said.
‘These roles require substantial resources to ensure the President can make informed decisions and effectively lead the nation,’ Pangandaman added.
Pangandaman also stressed that the OP’s CIF has been retained at PHP4.56 billion since 2022.
She said the funds are needed to enable Marcos to engage in high-level d
ecision-making, manage crises, and ensure that the Philippines remains secure and resilient against internal and external threats.
She added that Marcos’ ability to perform his duties would be ‘significantly hampered’ without CIF.
‘The consistency in the CIF allocation reflects the ongoing need to support the President’s mandate in overseeing national security and foreign policy. These funds are essential for addressing urgent security challenges, conducting critical intelligence operations, and implementing policies that protect our nation’s interests,’ Pangandaman said.
The OP will receive the biggest amount of CIF under the 2025 National Expenditure Program.
According to the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) posted on the DBM’s website, the OP is proposing a total budget of PHP10,446,475,000, lower than 2024’s PHP10,645,573,000.
Source: Philippines News Agency
