Palace backs stricter rules on use of confidential, intel funds

August 27, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

Malacañang sees the importance of having stricter rules on the use of confidential and intelligence funds to prevent officials from exploiting it for their own ends.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro made the remarks amid the Commission on Audit’s plan to revisit the rules on these funds, including provisions on acknowledgment receipts and the use of fake names.

She said the Palace would wait for the specific amendments that COA intends to propose before commenting on their possible impact on confidential and intelligence operations.

Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2015-01 provided the rules on handling and auditing of confidential funds.

“Kung kayo naman po ay susunod sa polisiya at sa rules at wala naman kayong balak na maloko para sa pondo… Hindi naman problema ‘yung rules,” Castro said.

She added: “Kaya kinakailangan pang amyendahan para hindi na makalusot ang mga panloloko.”

Castro noted that the COA has the mandate to protect the identity of those whose information may be subject to scrutiny.

“So wala po tayo sa ngayon nakikita talaga na problema. Ang nakikita po nating problema ay yung mga tao pinapaikotan nga po ang rules,” she added.