Intel budget slash may affect peace and order

CEBU, Philippines - Although Mayor Michael Rama refused to say what will be the possible effect of the City Council’s move in allocating only P500,000 for next year’s intelligence budget, the mayor’s chief of staff said the peace and order in the city may be affected.

The City Council slashed the proposed P24.8-million intelligence budget to only P500,000.

Philip Zafra, chief of staff of the Office of the Mayor, said as of October 31 the expenses from the intelligence and confidential budget was still P1.5 million, although the amount may increase because there are more expenditures being charged to the same account.

The proposed intelligence budget is part of the P115-million allocation for the overall peace and order programs, but the amount has been reduced to only P58.6 million.

The procedure is that the intelligence fund should not be more than three percent of the annual appropriations or not more than 30 percent of the peace and order program.

While Rama proposed a P11.8-billion annual budget for 2012, the City Council cut the budget to only P5.2 billion.

Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, chairwoman of the City Council’s committee on budget and finance, decided to trim down the budget based on the projected revenue collection next year.

According to some city legislators, the intelligence fund is the most controversial budget because it is prone to abuse because its expenses is not subject to regular auditing by the state auditors.

The liquidation of the intelligence fund will be submitted directly to the chairman of the Commission on Audit.

Cebu City police director Melvin Ramon Buenafe said he was planning to hire some sources in Mindanao to keep them informed if criminal elements are coming to commit crimes, like bigtime robberies, in Cebu City.

While Rama was still a member of the ruling Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan party, the City Council approved a P6-million intelligence and confidential budget for this year.

Rama recently severed ties with the BOPK headed by Cebu City south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña after 19 years of being a member. — (FREEMAN)