DICT: P300-M confidential fund ‘legitimately used’ for cybersecurity concerns

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) on Wednesday defended the P300-million confidential and intelligence funds, saying it was “legitimately used” for cybersecurity and protection of the country’s national security.

In a statement, DICT explained that the P300 million item in its budget was “for lawful monitoring and surveillance of systems and networks to support the DICT’s functions, which include cybersecurity, the formulation and effective implementation of the National Cybersecurity Plan, and international cooperation on intelligence on cybersecurity matters.”

DICT issued the statement after resigned Undersecretary Eliseo Rio pointed out that the agency was not mandated to conduct intelligence and surveillance work.

However, DICT said it was “mandated to protect the security of consumers and business users in ICT-related matters and to render technical assistance to other government agencies on ICT-related enforcement and administration.”

DICT further explained that the P300 million cash advance for the intelligence funds has been liquidated to the Commission and Audit (COA).

“Of the 2019 GAA Confidential Expense item for the Department, Three Hundred Million Pesos (P300,000,000.00) was disbursed in (3) tranches of One Hundred Million Pesos (P100,000,000.00), each of which were liquidated with the Commission on Audit (COA). The COA did not disallow the disbursements,” DICT said.

COA has found that the DICT advanced a total of P300 million in cash on three occasions in November and December without the required notice of cash allotment from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

But DICT downplayed this, saying COA’s recommendations pertained to “timeframes for disbursement” and that its main concern is “for the Department to be more efficient in processing the relevant documents—all of which the Department has addressed.”

“The Confidential Expense allocated in the 2019 GAA was legitimately used for cybersecurity and the protection of our national security, with the safety of our government’s information facilities and institutions, and the welfare of our people, being the Department’s utmost priority,” it added.

Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Panfilo Lacson said they already filed a resolution seeking to revive a committee that would look into government agencies’ intelligence funds disbursements.