‘Explain intel fund increase’

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday urged the administration to explain the large increase of its intelligence funds for next year.

Robredo said in 2016, during the last year of the Aquino administration the intelligence fund was only P500 million.

Based on the national expenditure program for next year submitted to Congress last week, the Office of the President wants P2.25 billion allotted each for its confidential and intelligence expenses, totaling P4.5 billion.

“It’s been only three years (since the Duterte administration came in) and its intel funds have increased that much. So maybe to remove all doubts, they should explain the budget increase,” the Vice President said in her weekly program BISErbisyong Leni over radio station dzXL.

“The increase was expected. It’s possible if you increase the employees. Like in our office, our budget grew by P200 million, but it’s nothing compared to P6 billion,” she said.

Militant lawakers have warned the Philippines is turning into a police state, as President Duterte’s office sought to double its intelligence funds for 2020.

Malacañang earlier defended Duterte’s intelligence fund.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said he does not know the details of the budget, except that it would be for “securing the nation.”

“It’s hard to secure a country. You really need the money, you need people, you need machines and technology. These will entail a lot of expenses,” Panelo said.