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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lagman responds to DBM chief's remarks on P9.2-B confidential, intel funds in 2024 spending plan

Lagman responds to DBM chief's remarks on P9.2-B confidential, intel funds in 2024 spending plan

Published Aug 4, 2023 05:53 am
Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman (left), and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman (Facebook, PPAB)





Administration critic, Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman said Friday, Aug. 4 that the huge confidential and intelligence funds in the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP) or proposed national budget weren't justified. "The existence of 'rules' in the availment and utilization of intelligence and confidential funds does not justify the enormity and widespread allocations of these secret funds amounting to [P]9.2 [billion] in the President's 2024 National Expenditure Program," Lagman said in a statement. The self-styled "independent minority" congressman was apparently referring to Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman's statements on the confidential and intelligence funds during the agency's ceremonial submission of the NEP to the House of Representatives. On Wednesday, Aug. 2, Pangandaman told House reporters that there's "full transparency" when it comes to the actual use of such funds. "Mayroon naman pong guidelines yan from COA (Commission on Audit) on how to use the funds. Hindi naman ho siya budget na parang, pagkabigay, they can actually disburse it and use it. Mayroon din pong dokumento na sina-submit sa COA (There are guidelines from COA on how to use the funds. It's not like a budget that they can actually disburse and use upon receiving it. There's a document that is submitted to COA)," she said. Pangandaman said that the Office of the President (OP) sought P4.5 billion worth of confidential and intelligence funds, or nearly half of the particular allocation in the 2024 NEP. She also said that the P9.2-billion allocation was roughly the same as in 2023. "The bulk of the intelligence and confidential funds must be included, if ever, in the agencies' Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) to assure the regular and transparent auditing process, rather than the present furtive auditing procedures behind closed doors between the audited and the auditor," Lagman said. "Moreover, the maximization of appropriations for education and health must be given utmost priority," added the former House minority leader. Under the latest NEP,  the education sector will get P924.7 billion, while the health sector will get P306.1 billion. The NEP total is P5.768 trillion, the largest in the Philippine history.

Related Tags

Rep. Edcel Lagman intelligence funds NEP Confidential funds Amenah Pangandaman DBM Secretary DBM
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