Palace justifies Duterte’s confidential, intelligence funds for proposed 2021 budget

August 27, 2020

Malacanang defended on Thursday President Rodrigo Duterte's request of P4.5 billion for his confidential and intelligence funds under the proposed 2021 budget.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte's confidential and intelligence funds are still subject to audit.

"It's only called as confidential but this is a fund which the President can spend when needed and most of his expenses from confidential fund is for COVID, for those slain soldiers, for those who died due to COVID," he said in a virtual press briefing.

"The good thing about confidential fund is whether or not its included in the line item, the President can spend it but it is still subject to audit," Roque added.

The Commission on Audit, however, previously admitted that the use of confidential and intelligence funds could be difficult to audit.

Under the proposed 2021 national budget, the Office of the President is requesting for P2.25 billion each for confidential and intelligence funds, similar to the current budget. Celerina Monte/DMS