MANILA, Philippines – A total of P10 billion in confidential and intelligence funds was spent by various government agencies, with the Office of the President (OP) posting the highest expenses.

According to the annual financial report on national government agencies’ spending by the Commission on Audit (COA), the OP spent a total of P2.25 billion in confidential funds (CF) and P2.1 billion in intelligence funds (IF).

The Office of the Vice President (OVP), on the other hand, spent more on confidential funds than four other government agencies in 2023. The OVP spent P375 million in confidential funds, higher than the amounts spent by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), National Security Council (NSC), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

Confidential expenses, as defined by COA, “are expenses related to surveillance/confidential activities in civilian government agencies that are intended to support the mandate or operations of the agency.”

The NICA reported total confidential spending of P127.413 million, while the NSC spent P90 million and the AMLC spent P9.388 million. The NBI reported confidential expenses totaling P146.167 million.

On intelligence funds, the Department of National Defense (DND) spent the most, with P2.248 billion, followed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) with P936.597 million.

According to COA, “intelligence expenses are expenses related to intelligence information-gathering activities of uniformed and military personnel, and intelligence practitioners that have direct impact on national security.”

The release of intelligence funds is subject to the approval of the President of the Philippines.

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