Defense chief orders audit of intelligence funds

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. AFP/BAY ISMOYO

MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATE) Amid corruption allegations, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin vowed on Thursday that no such practices and indiscriminate spending would happen under his watch.

And to prove this, Gazmin told the Senate blue ribbon committee that the Department of National Defense would now open its intelligence fund for audit “without compromising national security concerns.”

“I wish to assure the Filipino people that your Department and National Defense, and your armed forces are one with you in treading the straight path. Kaisa nyo po kami sa pagtahak sa tuwid na landas,” he said.

“No corrupt practices shall happen under my watch. We will never allow indiscriminate spending. The of the DND and the AFP will be properly managed,” he said.

“As a former field commander… I am fully aware of the struggles of my fellow soldiers and so I am resolute in my commitment to look after their welfare,” Gazmin added.

And so to address the issue of transformation of the AFP into a graft-free institution, Gazmin said, its investigating committee suggested several reforms in the military like allowing the audit of intelligence fund.

Other suggested reforms:

* computerization of the AFP logistics and financial management systems;

* strict implementation of laws and prosecution of offensesj

* creation of a defense acquisition bureau;

* provide close oversight instead of transfer of the office of internal audit, office of ethical standards and public accountability office of the inspector general and the judge advocate general “so as not to distract the organizations”; and

* enhancement of auditing and monitoring, among others