Escudero: Was plan to buy gadgets using intel funds OK'd by Arroyo?

MANILA, Philippines - Scrutinizing former Philippine National Police (PNP) comptroller Eliseo dela Paz's alibi that the P6.9 million he carried in Moscow was from the agency's intelligence funds, an opposition senator on Monday asked the PNP leadership whether the plan to buy arms and spy gear using intelligence fund was approved by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
In a press statement, Sen. Francis Escudero said intelligence funds are controlled by the President citing the provision in the national budget which grants the chief executive the sole authority to approve its release.
"Under budget laws, the President is the sole issuer of intelligence funds. She is the disburser-in-chief of 'intel' money," Escudero said.
On Friday, Director General Jesus Verzosa said the P6.9 million cash hand-carried by dela Paz in Russia came from the PNP's intelligence fund allocated for the purchase of intelligence equipment.
Escudero said if the PNP will insist on this justification, it must show the paper trail asking the Office of the President's approval for such a purchase.
The senator said "shopping list" must have the approval of Malacañang, "as the latter's dominion over the budget is so great that no government agency today can buy a tricycle without the permission of the Office of the President."
He was referring to a rule requiring Malacañang clearance for the purchase "of anything that has a motor in it and move on wheels."
Escudero said that while the President is not expected to "micro-manage" the use of intelligence funds, it is safe to assume that she does not "rubber stamp" the approval of request for intelligence funds either.
The senator said the "administrative practice" is that approval for the release of funds is preceded by "the justification of the requesting agency and the evaluation made by the approving authority."
He said this power is reiterated in Section 20 of the General Provisions of Republic Act 9498, the General Appropriations Act for 2008, which states that "no amount in this Act shall be released or disbursed for confidential and intelligence activities unless approved by the President of the Philippines."
Escudero said, in addition to intelligence funds provided for in the budgets of agencies, "savings authorized by special provisions to be used for intelligence and counter-intelligence activities can be released only upon approval of the President of the Philippines."
He said once released, the 80 percent of funds must be used for field operations, as required by the same section.
He said the justification usually centers on "the programs, projects, and activities" to be funded including the equipment that will be bought.
He said for 2008, some P1.360 billion had been appropriated for "confidential and intelligence expenses" of 20 agencies.
He said the biggest recipient is the Office of the President with P650 million, P500 of which is for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission; next is the Philippine National Police with P270 million; Department of National Defense with P151.6 million, of which about P119 million is shared by the AFP General Headquarters and the three major armed services. - GMANews