MANILA — A coalition of progressive lawmakers in the House of Representatives has raised concerns over what it described as a multibillion-peso surge in confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) in the proposed 2026 national budget, warning that the allocations could be vulnerable to corruption.

In a media report, it said that in its initial analysis of the budget now awaiting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signature, the Makabayan coalition flagged “significant increases” in CIF allocations to all but two agencies that requested such funds, which it said remain largely shielded from public scrutiny.

The coalition also challenged Marcos, whose office is set to receive the largest share of CIFs, to veto the items.

“[…] It is clear to the coalition and to the Filipino people that the proposed 2026 budget that Congress is set to ratify is full of funds that are vulnerable to corruption and fascism,” Makabayan said in a statement. “This, while it has underfunded critical services like education, health, and other social services that the public truly needs.”

Comparing the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and the Senate version of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill, the coalition said confidential funds increased by P876.6 million to P5.24 billion, while intelligence funds rose by P231.15 million to P6.63 billion, bringing total CIFs to P11.87 billion.

Based on the Senate version, Makabayan said the Office of the President (OP) controls a combined P4.56 billion in confidential and intelligence funds, accounting for 43 percent of total confidential funds at P2.25 billion and 35 percent of intelligence funds at P2.31 billion.

Several agencies also received substantial increases in confidential funds under the Senate version compared to the NEP, including the Department of Justice-Office of the Secretary at P729.9 million from P364 million; the Bureau of Customs at P250 million from P79.5 million; the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Office of the Secretary at P300.6 million from P100.6 million; and the National Bureau of Investigation at P300.4 million from P174.4 million.

While the bicameral conference committee has yet to formally release its final report, Makabayan said figures flashed during the livestream of its meeting showed that both chambers approved the CIF allocations for the OP, NBI, DOJ, and the Bureau of Customs.

The coalition also noted what it described as a historical first, with the Anti-Red Tape Authority receiving P6.7 million in confidential funds.

Under the proposed budget, intelligence funds were also allocated to security agencies, including P871.3 million for the Philippine National Police and P1.216 billion for the Armed Forces of the Philippines General Headquarters.

Makabayan criticized the Senate for “bloating” CIFs, which it said are subject to a different audit process and therefore evade public scrutiny. It urged the President to reject these allocations, as well as increases to what civil society groups have described as pork and patronage programs.

Among the items cited were aid programs whose budgets more than doubled compared to the NEP, including the Department of Health’s Medical Assistance to Indigents and Financially Incapacitated Patients (Maifip) from P24 billion to P51 billion; the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) from P27 billion to P63 billion; and the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) from P12 billion to P25 billion.

The coalition also flagged the retention of P243 billion in unprogrammed appropriations in the bicameral version, despite calls to remove it following reports that it was used to fund anomalous projects in previous years. Marcos is expected to sign the budget on January 5, according to Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

Makabayan said the proposed 2026 budget remains riddled with pork barrel allocations that could fuel corruption and patronage politics.

“Patunay ito na hindi seryoso ang panawagang kontra-korapsyon ni Marcos Jr., dahil ang mga sources of corruption ay nananatili sa kabila ng nalantad nang garapalang pagnanakaw,” the coalition said.

Based on its initial assessment, the group estimated that about P695.78 billion of the proposed 2026 budget is allocated to what it described as presidential, congressional, and Senate pork.

The coalition said lawmakers retained P243 billion in unprogrammed appropriations following bicameral deliberations, citing alleged abuse of the fund in 2023 and 2024.

“Ito ay kahit nalantad na sa publiko ang pang-aabuso ng administrasyong Marcos Jr. sa UA para pondohan ang 3,700 infrastructure projects na nagkakahalaga ng P214.4 billion noong 2023 at 2024,” it said.

Makabayan also warned that despite the removal of flood control projects from the 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways, kickbacks could still occur through other lawmaker-nominated infrastructure projects, including farm-to-market roads, school buildings, and health facilities.

The bicameral committee proposed P33 billion for farm-to-market roads, P85 billion for basic education facilities, and P22 billion for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program. The DPWH budget for 2026 stands at P529 billion, down nearly 40 percent from its original NEP allocation of P880 billion.

The group also cited P37 billion in financial assistance to local government units included in the bicameral proposal, which it said mirrors pork-like mechanisms for lawmakers.

Makabayan further flagged the proposed P18.01-billion budget for the 2026 ASEAN Summit, noting that about P17.55 billion, or 97 percent, would be placed under the Office of the President.

Despite its criticisms, the coalition said a reenacted 2025 budget would not be a solution.

“Kapag na-reenact ang kasalukuyang budget, matatransporma ang napakalaking bahagi ng 2025 GAA bilang presidential pork dahil ide-deklarang ‘savings’ ang pondo ng mga natapos nang programa at proyekto,” it said.

“Halimbawa, kung mare-enact ang 2025 DPWH budget, ang buong P1.05-trillion capital outlay nito ay ituturing na savings at maaari nang gamitin ng Pangulo sa anumang programang nanaisin niya,” the coalition added.