Nartatez says PNP committed to responsible fiscal management
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla bares return of P500 million insertion in PNP intel fund
Acting PNP Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (File photo: Office of the Chief PNP)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday, Oct. 17, underscored its commitment to responsible fiscal management following the return of the P500-million insertion allegedly made by a controversial lawmaker in the agency’s intelligence fund.
Acting PNP Chief, Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. assured the public that the agency maintains the highest level of fiscal discipline and transparency.
“The PNP strictly adheres to all government auditing and accounting rules and regulations in the management of our intelligence and confidential funds. These funds are used solely for legitimate operations in support of national security, law enforcement, and internal security efforts,” he said in a statement.
His remarks came after Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla bared during a Senate deliberations on the proposed 2026 budget of the agency on Oct. 15 that the PNP had returned P500 million of its P1.3 billion intelligence fund for 2025 after discovering that the amount had been inserted into its budget allegedly by former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co.
Co is linked to the multi-billion peso worth of alleged corruption in the country’s infrastructure projects, including flood control.
“Any irregularity or discrepancy identified in the budget process is immediately addressed in coordination with the concerned agencies, as demonstrated by the prompt return of the P500 million insertion,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Nartatez directed all PNP offices and units to strictly comply with existing government rules and procedures in the utilization of intelligence and confidential funds.
He reiterated that any misuse or misappropriation “will result in administrative and criminal sanctions in accordance with existing laws and PNP disciplinary policies.”
“To all our personnel, I remind everyone that fiscal integrity is a non-negotiable part of our service. As public servants, we are entrusted with the people’s money, and it is our duty to ensure that every allocation is spent lawfully and purposefully,” Nartatez said.
“Under my leadership, the PNP will continue to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and good governance,” he stressed.