State auditors said that Makati spent more than P200 million on confidential funds, ranking the top spender among 10 Metro Manila cities with such expenses last year.
This comes as financial statements submitted to the Commission on Audit (COA) disclosed that the 10 cities collectively allocated a total of P728 million to confidential funds last year.
The breakdown of confidential funds spending among the 10 cities in 2023 from COA showed that Makati leading with P240 million, unchanged from 2022. Manila followed with P120 million, and Quezon City allocated P100 million, both maintaining the same amounts as the previous year.
Pasay City spent P60 million in confidential funds, a decrease from P80 million in 2022, while Caloocan City also allocated P60 million, consistent with its 2022 spending.
Parañaque City reported P49.5 million, the same as the year prior, and Muntinlupa City slightly reduced its allocation to P44.08 million from P44.29 million in 2022.
Marikina City also spent P25 million in their confidential funds, unchanged from 2022, whereas San Juan City reduced its spending to P16 million from P17.3 million. Malabon City recorded the lowest confidential fund expenditure at P13.7 million, down from P15 million the previous year.
Meanwhile, COA said six cities in Metro Manila – particularly Pasig, Taguig, Mandaluyong, Las Piñas, Navotas, and Valenzuela – reported no confidential expenses.
Joint Circular No. 2015-01 – which COA, the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of National Defense, and the Governance Commission for GOCCs issued – mandates that LGU confidential spending must align with their Peace and Order Programs (POPs).
The circular specifies that confidential spending is limited to crime prevention and law enforcement initiatives, capability development for law enforcement personnel and volunteers, and programs addressing illegal activities such as drug trafficking, gambling, smuggling, human trafficking, as well as unlicensed fishing, mining, and logging operations. (TCSP)
