MANILA — Kinumpirma ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) na ibinalik ng Philippine National Police (PNP) sa Office of the President ang ₱500 milyong intelligence fund na umano’y isinisingit sa 2025 budget ni dating House appropriations chair Zaldy Co.

Sa pagdinig ng Senate finance subcommittee nitong Miyerkules, sinabi ni DILG Chief Jovic Remulla: “Sir, if I may answer, the ₱500 million that is additional to that was an insertion which we turned over to the Office of the President. We didn't use that ₱500 million, so that is the grand total.”

Dagdag pa niya, “We only followed what is according to the GAA and not the NEP. What was put additional was—we found no use for it, and we returned it to the Office of the President.”

Ayon kay Senador Sherwin Gatchalian, ang orihinal na hiling ng PNP para sa 2026 ay umabot sa ₱210 bilyon, ngunit ₱806 milyon lamang ang naaprubahan para sa intelligence fund. “Okay. But in for 2026, the ₱806 million is enough for your operations,” ani Gatchalian.

Kinumpirma naman ito ni PNP Chief PLTGEN Jose Melencio C Nartatez Jr: “That's correct, Your Honor.” Gayunman, iginiit niyang kulang pa rin ang kasalukuyang pondo para sa intelligence operations ng kanilang hanay. 

“If we're going to have a per capita dito sa ating intelligence fund to be utilized, ay ₱150 per month per person po ang ating per capita. And kung titignan natin, that ₱150 per capita intelligence fund ay kulang,” paliwanag ni Nartez.

Ibinahagi rin niya ang breakdown ng kasalukuyang pondo ng PNP: “That is, 84% is the PS (Personnel Services), and MOE (Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses) is about 14%, and the capital outlay is 2 or 3. Yung ideal po dun sana ay yung PS corresponds to or at par with the MOE. So, say 84% maski maging 20% lamang sana ang aming MOE, and that would be an ideal one, Mr. Chairman.”

Patuloy ang imbestigasyon ng Senado sa mga umano’y budget insertions at ang paggamit ng confidential at intelligence funds sa iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno.