Sen. Ronald dela Rosa yesterday said civilian government agencies strongly criticized for asking confidential funds should let go of it and allocate the funds instead to worthwhile programs, activities, and projects of their respective agencies.
Dela Rosa, in an interview with radio dzBB, said civilian government agencies should follow the Energy Regulatory Commission which gave up its requested P15-million confidential funds, which were allocated for line-item projects which need additional funds.
“Then sana sila magkusa kapag sinita sila ng ganoon. Pero hindi ako puede magsabi na hindi nila kailangan yan kasi hindi ko masyado alam trabaho at history nila at pagbibigay ng confidential funds sa ahensiya nila (They should also volunteer if they are criticized. But I am not in the position to say that they do not need it [confidential funds] because I know little not only about the nature of their job and history, but also why they are asking for confidential funds),” Dela Rosa said.
The Senate minority bloc has been questioning the confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) of civilian agencies like the Office of the President, Office of the Vice President, Department of Education, and Office of the Solicitor General as it said all these agencies are not gatherers of intelligence information.
Dela Rosa said not giving the Office of the President the CIFs would render it “inutile” because the President is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, who needs to have his own confidential and intelligence funds.
He added the CIFs have existed for years and noted it is subject to an audit report so it will not just vanish.
Dela Rosa also said the combined confidential funds for the OVP (P500 million) and DepEd (P150 million) appear to be too big since they are being asked by two agencies led by only one person — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.
He said he is “open” to either slashing or retaining the CIFs for these civilian government agencies.
“If we have enough funds, why not. Why not give it to them so they can implement their mandates? But if we have insufficient funds, it can be decreased or allocate them to other agencies which need more funds. So, I am open either way),” he said in mixed Filipino and English.
Dela Rosa said the Senate will have to decide on whether to cut or retain the CIFs, which can be done through voting if senators fail to come up with a consensus.
He said a senators’ caucus was held last week to talk of the possible courses of action regarding the CIFs but “nothing yet is final until it is deliberated on the floor.”
Military: No let-up
in anti-insurgency drive
BY Victor REYES
A military commander in eastern Mindanao assured Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro that troops in the area will not rest on their laurels despite successful counter-insurgency operations since January.
Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, commander of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), made the assurance on Saturday when Bacarro visited the Eastmincom headquarters in Davao City.
“I am confident and proud to report to our Chief of Staff, AFP that we are on the right track in our campaign progress. But even as we recognize this accomplishment, we know very well that we cannot rest on our laurels for the ultimate victory is yet to be achieved,” said Almerol.
Since January, 706 rebels including 57 “high-value individuals,” and supporters have been neutralized (killed, arrested or have surrendered) while 598 firearms and 116 anti-personnel miles were also recovered during the period.
Eastmincom troops have also dismantled or defeated eight New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla fronts and four lower units, and cleared 56 barangays from NPA influence this year.
The success of military campaign in eastern Mindanao led to the declaration of Davao region as an insurgency-free area last month. The others under the area of responsibility of Eastmincom are Northern Mindanao, Caraga and parts of Soccsksargen.
“Rest assured, sir, that there will be no let up in defeating the remaining CTGs (communist terrorist groups) in order to maintain peace, progress, and stability in this part of the country,” Almerol said, addressing Baccaro.
Bacarro, during his “talk to the troops,” commended the Eastmincom for its accomplishments in the fight against the rebels and expressed confidence the communist movement in Eastern Mindanao will will soon be defeated.
“One thing is definite — the Eastern Mindanao Command has contributed a lot in the attainment of the mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. We cannot deny that. This is manifested by the reduction of different power factors of the enemy,” said Bacarro.
“In the soonest possible time, we will be able to declare strategic victory in some of the areas that fall within the joint operational area of the Eastern Mindanao Command,” Bacarro also said.
