Senator JV Ejercito pushes for stricter limits on confidential and intelligence funds

Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Senator JV Ejercito is pushing for stricter limits on confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs), arguing they should be restricted to government agencies directly involved in law enforcement, intelligence gathering, and national security.

Ejercito raised the proposal as lawmakers scrutinize CIF allocations in the proposed 2027 national budget—a review taking place against the backdrop of Vice President Sara Duterte’s ongoing impeachment trial.

“Confidential and intelligence funds should be limited to agencies whose mandate is law enforcement, intelligence, and national security,” Ejercito said in an interview, emphasizing that classification must not mean an absence of government oversight.

“Confidential funds do not mean they are unaccountable,” he added. “Just because they are classified as confidential does not mean they should no longer be subject to accountability.”

Under Joint Circular No. 2015-01, confidential funds support surveillance activities for civilian agencies, while intelligence funds cover gathering operations by military, uniformed, and intelligence personnel.

The use of these funds has come under intense scrutiny during the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte, who faces charges including culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. The lead article of impeachment alleges the “systematic misappropriation and irregular liquidation” of ₱500 million in confidential funds at the Office of the Vice President and ₱112.5 million at the Department of Education during her tenure as secretary.

As the impeachment trial enters its seventh week, Ejercito also noted that the public must wait for the Senate court to decide whether to shift hearings to an afternoon schedule.

While the House prosecution supports moving proceedings to 3:00 p.m. and Duterte’s defense team agreed to abide by the court's decision, Senate impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol urged the public to keep its focus on the merits of the case.

“What the public should be talking more about is the evidence being presented and the legal theories of both sides,” Tongol said.

-Paraluman News