Human rights alliance Karapatan assailed the billions of pesos of “confidential and intelligence funds” (CIF) being allocated to a number of government agencies even as much-needed social services and projects lack funding and the country is reeling from a gargantuan national debt of PhP10.13 trillion.
The group renewed its call to reallocate such funds to public health needs, education, housing, food and cash aid, and other social services, amid discussions at the Senate on the P650-million CIF allotted to Vice President Sara Duterte— PhP500 million to the Office of the Vice President and another PhP150 million to the Department of Education which she heads.
Human rights alliance Karapatan assailed the billions of pesos of “confidential and intelligence funds” (CIF) being allocated to a number of government agencies even as much-needed social services and projects lack funding and the country is reeling from a gargantuan national debt of PhP10.13 trillion.
The group renewed its call to reallocate such funds to public health needs, education, housing, food and cash aid, and other social services, amid discussions at the Senate on the P650-million CIF allotted to Vice President Sara Duterte— PhP500 million to the Office of the Vice President and another PhP150 million to the Department of Education which she heads.
Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said that it is well-known that CIF-bankrolled expenditures are highly vulnerable to graft and corruption.
“Former Vice President Leni Robredo did not receive any CIF during her term and previous vice presidents received considerably smaller allocations,” Palabay pointed out. What entitles Sara Duterte to such exceptional treatment, she asked.
On the other hand, the senior pension fund, which has been mandated by law, has received zero funding, said Palabay. “We need not even look any further than the DepEd, Sara Duterte’s own agency, which does not have any budgetary allocation this year for special education,” she exclaimed.
“Many believe that Sara Duterte’s huge CIF will likely be used to surveil teachers and students and bankroll the massive troll army that drives the Marcos II government’s red-tagging and disinformation campaign to discredit its critics and launder the sordid reputation of this fascist and corruption-ridden regime,” she continued.
“We urge the Senate to reconsider its position allowing the retention of the proposed CIF under the offices held by Sara Duterte and all government officials. It is your duty to look after the welfare of the Filipino people, not to submit to the interests of your allies or political patrons,” Palabay concluded.