A quote card has been circulating on social media and online chat groups, containing quotes that suggest I have spoken out against asking for the identities of persons involved in projects using intelligence funds. It is fake and obviously manipulated.
Having been exposed to liquidation procedures of intelligence funds due to my previous life as a law enforcer, let me stress that the basic premise is that ALL public funds – including intelligence funds – are accountable and subject to audit, with slight differences in the procedure of liquidation.
Those seeking to use intelligence funds must not only submit an intelligence project containing in a sealed envelope the details of the expenses to be incurred. While they may use codes or aliases to protect their informers, there should be a PAPER TRAIL ensuring the identities of the informers can be verified. In short, there is no difference between regular and intelligence funds as far as being subject to audit is concerned. The difference lies merely in a matter of procedure.
With that being said, members of the QuadComm and anybody who may have access to classified information pertaining but not limited to the real identity/ies of persons behind those codes or aliases must bear the responsibility and equal accountability under existing laws to maintain the confidentiality of the same.
And while the Commission on Audit has the clear mandate to audit public funds, Congress – both the Senate and the House – has an oversight function to make sure the General Appropriations Act it passed is spent properly.
The scrutiny of public funds, including confidential and intelligence funds, must continue. Even if the amount being questioned is just 10 pesos, it is still public funds.
In the meantime, I ask the public to be vigilant and to verify their information from official and credible sources before sharing, to avoid spreading misinformation. This is not something new. Huwag tayong magpaloko.
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