Several progressive groups on Tuesday, September 26 called for the abolition of the proposed confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) of the Office of the President (OP) and Office of the Vice President (OVP).
Groups including members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) rallied in front of the House of Representatives.
In a statement, BAYAN regarded the two offices' proposed confidential funds as government syndicates' "new raket" or additional activities to amass wealth.
"Palibhasa, hindi strikto ang auditing at accounting ng CIF. Ibig sabihin, mas madaling magamit ang pera sa katiwalian at political patronage dahil ang alokasyon ay nakasalalay sa desisyon ng namumunong opisyal. Walang mabisang checks and balances," it underscored.
The progressive group also called the proposed CIF for 2024 a "pork barrel" that is filled with corruption.
"Ginagamit Ito sa ngalan diumano ng pagtanggol sa seguridad ng mamamayan at bansa subalit tulad ng nailantad nang katangian ng pork barrel sa nakaraan, ginagamit lang sa katiwalian at pinagkukuhanan ng pondong pangpanalo sa eleksyon," BAYAN added.
It furthered that the CIF should have instead allocated for financial assistance or ayuda, subsidies for small local farmers, or for government agencies, hospitals, and state universities and colleges that are in need of additional funds.
Interviewed by the media, BAYAN Secretary General Bong Palatino said their protest continues as long as the plea of the public has yet been heard by lawmakers in both chambers of Congress.
"Ang kampanya ay magtutuloy sa Senado at ang ating panawagan sa mga Senador, pakinggan ang boses ng mamayan na ang bagong confidential funds ang pork barrel. Ito dapat ay hindi na ilagay sa napakaraming civilian agencies," he said.
Bong said their call would continue until the proposed 2024 budget of government agencies reached the Bicameral Conference and before President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. signed the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) into law.
For 2024, the office of Vice President Sara Duterte is seeking P500 million CIF, while the office of Marcos is asking for P2.2 billion CIF.
