Ecija governor defends P40-million intel fund

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, Philippines  – Gov. Aurelio Umali defended the allocation of at least P40 million worth of intelligence funds in the proposed 2011 budget of the provincial government now being reviewed for approval by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

“It’s in accordance with law,” he said, in reaction to the allocation of the controversial intelligence funds.

The governor, a lawyer, said funds included in the yearly budget of the Capitol are always in conformity with existing laws, saying the law provides for a certain leeway for intelligence operations of local government units. “Offices are allowed intelligence funds and in our case, we allocate funds in accordance with law,” he told The STAR by phone.

In the programmed appropriation and obligation of the Governor’s Office of the proposed Year 2011 annual budget of the province transmitted by provincial administrator Alejandro Abesamis, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR, the governor will get P40.8 million as intelligence expenses under the item maintenance and operating expenses for 2011.

The intelligence funds represent 45 percent of the entire P89.48-million proposed budget of the Governor’s Office for the coming year and is bigger than the combined proposed budget of the Guimba District Hospital and the Sto. Domingo District Hospital.