Confidential funds for the Department of Justice (DOJ) and its attached agencies stand at P579.4 million under the proposed 2027 budget, a 47.3% drop from the P1.1 billion set aside for 2026, prompting justice officials to ask senators for more during Thursday’s budget hearing.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) joined the appeal. Commissioner Joel Viado told the Senate panel his bureau needs an extra P10 million to P20 million in confidential funds next year.
The largest request came from Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, who asked lawmakers to restore P500 million for the Office of the Secretary. The National Expenditure Program (NEP) allots that office P319.9 million.
Vida also raised concerns over the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), whose P10 million allocation he said falls short given the problems the council now faces.
“Sa Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, napapansin po namin sa inter-agency na ang P10 million ay kulang at talaga kailangan pa naming dagdagan dahil may dagdag pong hamon,” Vida said.
Two smaller items rounded out his list. The justice chief urged Congress to approve P475,000 for the department’s efforts against emerging cybercrime, along with P5 million for the National Coordination Center Against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM).
