By Liza Soriano
OMBUDSMAN Samuel Martires asked the Senate Finance Committee to limit the confidential intelligence funds (CIF) of his office to P1 million for the years 2024 and 2025, until the end of his term.
The request was made by Martires in his letter to Senate finance committee chairman Sonny Angara dated October 6.
Under the proposed 2024 national budget, the Office of the Ombudsman allocated P51.468 million in confidential funds.
During the budget deliberation held by the Senate and the House of Representatives, Martires said that he agreed to remove the CIF from his office if only the reputation of his office and its officials would be tarnished.
Martires further clarified that the removal of the said budget will not affect the functions of the Ombudsman.
In the hearing, he also said that he believes they can survive even though his office does not have confidential funds.
(ai/mnm)