Duterte veto on intel fund disclosure questioned

MANILA, Philippines — Militant lawmakers yesterday questioned the veto by President Duterte of a provision in the 2021 national budget law that requires him to report to Congress the government’s use of intelligence funds.

In a statement, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Ferdinand Gaite of the Makabayan bloc maintained that the move of the Chief Executive is a violation of the 1987 Constitution.

“Essentially, President Duterte is trampling on the oversight duty of Congress to know where its approved budget coming from taxpayers’ money go. It is the duty of Congress to stand and defend its power of the purse. It should ensure that funds are properly used,” he stressed.

Gaite argued that the Chief Executive cannot disregard the check and balance system in government.

“Otherwise, Congress will become worse than being a doormat that will just follow instructions from Malacañang especially now that election is near,” he warned.

The congressman cited the importance of checking on use of intelligence funds of the Palace, which “reached P1 billion for the first time.”

“Every peso in that fund should be held accountable. As it is we are studying going to court to challenge the veto on intel funds report to Congress. Another option is for Congress to override the veto of President Duterte, but this may be a long shot but still possible,” he added.

In his 16-page veto message on the 2021 General Appropriations Act or the P4.5-trillion national budget, Duterte explained that intelligence funds cover programs, projects and activities related to national security that are deemed confidential. Matters relating to national security, the President added, are one of the recognized exceptions to the right to information.

“I am duty bound to protect national security and maintain public safety as well as ensure peace and order at all times. Hence, all activities involving intelligence gathering that have a direct impact on national security and public safety shall be reported directly to me,” Duterte said.

“Accordingly, reports on the utilization of the intelligence funds shall be directly submitted to my office. Consequently, I have to directly veto the provision... which effectively requires the submission of quarterly reports on the use of intelligence funds to the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate of the Philippines,” he added.

Duterte pointed out that there is a governmental privilege against public disclosure of state secrets regarding military, diplomatic and other national security matters.

The President also vetoed several other provisions related to the use of income of state agencies. Duterte said as a general rule, all income of agencies shall accrue to the general fund of the national government, unless otherwise authorized by a separate substantive law. The income shall form part of the revenue and financing sources that would fund the government’s expenditure program.