Senate brings back oversight committee on intel funds

In light of recent threats to national security, the Senate on Monday night adopted a resolution seeking to create a select oversight committee on intelligence and confidential funds used by government agencies. (Photo: Senate of the Philippines/ Facebook)

MANILA—In light of recent threats to national security, the Senate on Monday night adopted a resolution seeking to create a select oversight committee on intelligence and confidential funds used by government agencies.

“…The importance of gathering intelligence information by concerned government agencies cannot be overstated,” Sen. Gringo Honasan II, who introduced the resolution, said.

Under Senate Resolution No. 361, Honasan seeks to reconstitute the Select Oversight Committee on Intelligence and Confidential Funds to allow the Senate to oversee government agencies in the production of intelligence information.

“The intelligence and confidential funds are not subject to the regular auditing rules and procedures of the Commission on Audit,” the resolution stressed.

In the 2017 General Appropriations Act alone, Honasan said that PHP5.48 billion has been allocated for confidential and intelligence funds (CIF).

The senator that this would help them deal with the threats to national security, including the maintenance of peace and order.

After the resolution was adopted, Honasan was named the chairman of the oversight committee, while Senators Panfilo Lacson, Richard Gordon, Manny Pacquiao, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV and Francis Pangilinan were named as members.

Honasan’s resolution said that the previous Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth Congresses each had a Senate Select Oversight Committee on Intelligence and Confidential Funds.

Section 14, Rule X of the Senate provided that whenever necessary, special committees shall be organized, the membership and jurisdiction of which shall be determined by the Senate President.