Metro Manila, CNN Philippines— Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte defended her agencies’ use of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs), saying ensuring the country’s peace and order should not be constrained by time.
“It matters not whether it takes one day or one year of spending; what truly matters is the safety and security of our people,” she said during the 122nd police service anniversary of the Police Regional Office 13 in Butuan City on WednesdayThe Office of the Vice President (OVP) was heavily criticized by various groups, lawmakers, and the public after Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo revealed that its ₱125 million CIFs were spent in a span of 11 days.
But for Duterte, CIFs will provide necessary resources to address unforeseen challenges – whether it be combating terrorism or tackling organized crime.
She added that anyone who attacks or undermines the CIFs allocated for peace and order is assumed to have “insidious motivations.”
“Kung sino man kumokontra sa confidential funds ay kumokontra sa kapayapaan. Kung sino ang kumokontra sa kapayaan ay kalaban ng bayan,” she warned.
[Translation: Whoever opposes confidential funds opposes peace. Whoever opposes peace is an enemy of the state.]
Congress on Sept. 27 decided to review and realign CIFs to agencies tasked to protect the West Philippine Sea. A four-man committee has yet to give an update on the reallocation.
Duterte proposed a combined ₱650 million CIFs for the OVP and the Department of Education in the 2024 national budget.
