Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri (PNA file photo by Avito Dalan)
MANILA – Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri Wednesday filed Senate Resolution 302 that will create an oversight committee that will check on Confidential and Intelligence Funds (CIFs).
Since CIFs do not undergo the usual auditing, Zubiri said the creation of an oversight committee will be the Senate’s way of subjecting these controversial funds to checks and balances.
This, he added, has been the practice of the Senate since the 10th Congress.
"It is our job, as an independent and democratic Senate, to keep watch over the use of the national budget. That is especially true for these sensitive funds, which are not subject to the usual auditing rules and procedures of the Commission on Audit," Zubiri said in a statement.
"Being that we cannot identify the particulars of their usage ahead of time, the Committee is our way of subjecting these funds to checks and balances," he added.
Under the proposed 2023 General Appropriations Act, a total o PHP9.28 billion is being allocated to CIF. Of this budget, PHP4.3 billion will go to confidential funds while PHP4.9 billion is for intelligence funds.
As an independent body, Zubiri said the Senate has to keep watch over the use of the national budget, including the CIFs, which has always been questioned and criticized.
One of the controversial CIFs being questioned by the opposition is that of the Department of Education (DepEd) under Vice President Sara Duterte.
DepEd has sought a total of PHP150 million CIF under its PHP710-billion budget for 2023.
“These funds are important in allowing our agencies to conduct necessary programs, operations, and activities for the safety and security of our people. But we need to be vigilant about how these funds are used, which will be the function of our Special Oversight Committee,” Zubiri added.
The committee, when formed, shall be composed of three members of the Senate majority, and one minority, and will be headed by Zubiri. (PNA)
