The Marcos administration has proposed a 16% reduction in confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) for the 2025 budget, according to Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.
The total CIF allocation has been lowered from P12.3 billion in 2024 to P10.286 billion in the proposed 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP).
The NEP allocates P5.92 billion for intelligence and P4.37 billion for confidential funds. The reduction aims to ensure that only essential departments and agencies with a demonstrated need for these funds receive allocations, promoting efficiency and transparency in government spending.
The Office of the President (OP) requested P4.56 billion in CIF for 2025, the same amount they received this year. However, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) will not receive any CIF for next year, following the executive branch’s decision to eliminate secret funds from civilian agencies.
The Department of National Defense will receive P1.8 billion in CIF, while the Department of Justice is allocated P579.4 million, primarily for the Office of the Secretary. Other executive offices, including the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, National Security Council, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, will also receive significant CIF allocations.
The proposed 2025 budget was submitted to Congress earlier than any previous budger submissions during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term, with the executive branch presenting the NEP just seven days after the State of the Nation Address (SONA). This early submission allows lawmakers more time to review the NEP before the appropriations panel begins discussions at the committee level.
Photo Courtesy: Philippine News Agency