‘Time to hike mayor’s intel budget’

CEBU, Philippines - The spate of crimes in Talisay City now makes it necessary for Mayor Johnny De los Reyes’ “meager” intelligence fund to be increased, at least to a justifiable amount.

So believes City Councilor Valeriano Ylanan, an ally of the mayor, who told The FREEMAN that increasing the mayor’s intelligence fund has now become a “must” to detect the criminals’ next move.

For this year, the council approved only P100,000 of P10 million that De los Reyes originally proposed.

Ylanan said the law allows the city to have an intelligence fund equal to 3 percent of the total budget or, in Talisay’s case, about P10 million.

Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, council presiding officer, however said the Sangguniang Panlungsod is ready to support the mayor’s objectives.

"We’re just waiting for a formal request from the mayor to increase his intelligence fund," Villarante said.

Before approval, it is important to get a resolution from the Talisay City Peace and Order Council showing an accounting of the entire the peace and order fund of the city, he said.

About 30 percent of the peace and order fund, which comprises intelligence and confidential funds, should be in accordance with DILG and COA circulars or 3 percent of the total city budget, whichever is lower.

In a separate interview, city administrator John Yre de los Reyes welcomed the council’s support to the request of increasing the mayor's intelligence fund.

"We are just waiting for the reply from the Cebu province on our budget review," John Yre, the mayor’s son, said.

However, he said they will not be asking for supplemental budget for the intelligence fund but an amended 2015 budget ordinance, specifically on the mayor's intelligence fund item.

"It is not subject for supplemental (budgeting) because IF need not have a program of work because of its confidential nature as per DILG. The approved budget of 2015 should be amended," John Yre said.

It can be recalled that Villarante and some members of the council questioned the IF of De los Reyes following his admission that he uses it to help just whoever comes to his house to ask for help even after office hours.

Councilor Edward Alesna, chairman of the Committee on Budget, said the slashing of the mayor’s intelligence fund during the budget deliberations earlier was justified.

Some councilors are wondering whether it is legal for a chief executive to draw cash advance from the fund to help practically just anyone. They added it is now the mayor’s sole responsibility to settle it with the COA Central Office.      

Under the rules, the use of funds for intelligence or confidential activities shall be limited to the following: (a) purchase of information; (b) payment of rewards; (c) rental and other incidental expenses relative to the maintenance of safe houses; and (d) purchase of supplies and ammunition, provision of medical and food aid, as well as, payment of incentives or traveling expenses relative to the conduct of intelligence or confidential operations.  (FREEMAN)