Cagayan de Oro emerged as the largest spender on confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) in Northern Mindanao for both 2023 and 2024, according to data released by the Commission on Audit (COA). The city allocated a total of P450 million over the two-year period under Mayor Rolando Uy. In contrast, Bukidnon province spent the least, allocating just P2.648 million under Governor Rogelio Neil Roque. These figures highlight a stark disparity in how different local governments within the region manage and utilize CIF. Among the top CIF spenders alongside Cagayan de Oro were Iligan City, Misamis Oriental, and Misamis Occidental. Collectively, these four jurisdictions accounted for nearly 80% of the over P1.1 billion in CIF allocated by Northern Mindanao’s cities and provinces during the two-year period. Specifically, Iligan City spent P94.5 million, Misamis Oriental P210 million, and Misamis Occidental P156 million. Combined, they contributed more than P910 million toward the region’s total CIF allocations. Cagayan de Oro saw a notable increase in its CIF spending, rising from P200 million in 2023 to P250 million in 2024, a 25% jump. This reflects broader trends across the region, as overall CIF allocations for Northern Mindanao’s cities and provinces grew from P527.7 million in 2023 to P646.3 million in 2024. The figures exclude the region’s 84 municipalities, which are also permitted to maintain such funds under local laws. Iligan City, the second-largest CIF spender in the region, increased its allocation to P54 million in 2024 from P40.5 million in 2023 under Mayor Frederick Siao. In Bukidnon, Valencia City maintained a consistent confidential fund of P22 million each year under former mayor Azucena Huervas, though its intelligence fund surged to P11.9 million in 2024 from P6.584 million in 2023. The COA report noted that Valencia City had P22 million in unliquidated confidential fund cash advances remaining for over a decade. Other cities in the region also adjusted their CIF allocations. El Salvador, a component city of Misamis Oriental, increased its spending to P14 million in 2024 from P10 million under Mayor Edgar Lignes. Gingoog City in eastern Misamis Oriental set aside P21 million in 2024 under Mayor Erick Cañosa, although there was no recorded allocation for 2023. Oroquieta City in Misamis Occidental nearly doubled its CIF spending to P20.329 million in 2024 from P10.484 million under Mayor Lemuel Meyrick Acosta. Ozamiz City in Misamis Occidental raised its allocation to P22.5 million from P20 million, while Tangub City increased its to P15.997 million from P11.645 million. Meanwhile, Malaybalay City in Bukidnon reduced its CIF spending under Mayor Jay Warren Pabillaran to P900,000 in 2024 from P2.203 million in 2023. Misamis Oriental was the largest CIF spender among the region’s provinces, increasing its allocation under former governor Peter Unabia to P110 million in 2024 from P100 million in 2023. Separately, the Marcos Jr. administration has proposed P10.773 billion in confidential and intelligence funds for 2027, marking an 8.8% decrease compared to the P11.818 billion allocated for 2026. Of this, P4.368 billion is designated for confidential funds, while P6.405 billion is earmarked for intelligence funds. The Office of the President receives the largest share of confidential funds, with P2.25 billion allocated, followed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency with P500 million, the Department of Justice with P364.85 million, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency with P351 million. Acting Budget Secretary Kim De Leon emphasized that the use of confidential and intelligence funds remains governed by strict rules to ensure accountability and proper usage. This comes amid ongoing scrutiny of such funds following reports of potential misuse by former officials, including Vice President Sara Duterte’s office and the Department of Education during her tenure.
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