"Big chunks for guns and thin slices for books"

"Big chunks for guns and thin slices for books"

Or: "Thoughts after the current regime's 2024 budget
and its Confidential and Intelligence Funds"

By Kat Ulrike

“Guns will make us powerful; butter will only make us fat.”

- Reichmarschall Hermann Göring, 1936.

Regardless of their statements, the Marcos-Duterte regime has managed to have confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) totaling PHP 5.277 billion and PHP 4.864 billion. 

For just like its predecessor that uses "National Security" for an alibi, these Confidential and Intelligence Funds are rather used to consolidate their interests- that of filling their own pockets and that of its supporters, and to further attacks against the people. 

However, this issue is more than just about CIFs. For as the current administration continues that of its predecessors in emphasising internal security over that of others, the budget for 2024 continues the trend of boosting military and infrastructure spending while cutting funds for social services and public needs. The budget for 2024 includes PHP 733.2 billion for "special purpose funds" under the Office of the President, PHP 977.6 billion for public works, highways, and transportation, and PHP 9.7 billion for NTF-ELCAC, while cutting PHP 6.16 billion from state universities and colleges, PHP 10.17 billion from the Department of Health, and other welfare services including fuel subsidies.

Quite obvious that the regime would certainly choose guns while claiming to be having funds for the butter; and if this writer recalls, their intentions makes yours truly think they have studied Miguel Coronel's "Pro-Democracy People's War" with all its "development packages" just to support counterinsurgency operations- yet by seeing budget thin slices for others such as agriculture, education, health, and social services, is their desire to win the peace attainable in the long term?


Trying to use "National Security" as an excuse

But despite the scrutiny and criticism, justifying the need for CIFs rather create outrage. Yes, everything is tied to national security ranging from education to that of dealing with the industrial sectors, but the current order's view on national security is more to do with protecting their interest even at the expense of the folk: whether by filling the pockets of its supporters, to that of surveillance and "special operations", the current administration, as said earlier is as same as that of it's predecessors in its perchance to upheld the status quo of interest seekers and exploiters alike- and it is not surprising that such squandering of funds proves how these are used for corruption.

Just imagine how Vice President Sara Duterte spent the Office of the Vice President's PHP 125 million CIF in just 11 days? Of course, the office would brag about certain projects be it feeding programs to that of free rides, but if one may ask- why should these projects be "confidential" in the first place? Besides, these programs being taken pride about by the office using such funds are nothing compared to the obvious interest in surveilling against those who are concerned, in seeking truth, and voicing dissent. 

Currently, lawmakers talked about rechanneling CIFs to supposed agencies such as in the wake of tensions in West Philippine Sea. The Philippine Coast Guard for instance is in need of such funds for their activities, as well as that of the National Security Council and the National intelligence Coordinating Agency, but if one may recall, such agencies dealing with security did really talked about bolstering national defence to uphold national sovereignty especially in the face of tensions coming from its neighbours; but at the same time these security agencies are also known for using their funds to conduct illegal surveillance and harassment against unionists, mass leaders, and opposition personalities. If one may ask, which is their priority given that they got their needed funds? Is it to upheld national sovereignty against a big chauvinist power? Or by protecting a rotten social order on the basis on national security? They would talk about modernising the armed forces, with all the "much needed" military materiel mostly of handouts, but will these meant to protect the nation or the order that controls in it? Remember, these mostly are used against communities in counterinsurgency operations. 

Big chunks for guns and 'safe houses',
Thin slices for books and schools

And since the admin pouring funds to national security and in piecemeal developments, health, social services, and education experienced cuts. 

With a nearly PhP10 billion budget reduction in 2024, the Department of Health also takes a significant hit. Only 481 billion, or 8% of the total national budget, will be allocated to health overall. And institutions like the Philippine General Hospital, the Philippine Heart Center, the National Kidney & Transplant Institute, the Lung Center of the Philippines, and the Philippine Children's Medical Center would see funding cuts.

The "emergency assistance programs" of the Department of Social Work and Development, which provide aid to Filipinos in need, will also see an almost 28 billion peso reduction in funding.

And although true that the Department of Education has able to got a substantial budget, this rather allocated only to the office of the Education Secretary headed by nonetheless VP Duterte herself. But how about its attached agencies like the the National Book Development Board, National Council for Children’s Television, National Museum of the Philippines, Philippine High School for the Arts, Early Childhood Care and Development Council, and the National Academy of Sports? Even State Colleges and Universities got only a share of PHP 6.16 billion. 

Other government departments like the Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Labor and Employment, and even the Department of Migrant Workers got cuts in the national budget. With these cuts, or should say thin slices given to these departments, will these "win the peace" as what the current administration wanted?


"insidious reasons"?

“The success of a project, activity or program really depends on very good intelligence and surveillance because you want to target specific issues and challenges.”

- Sara Duterte

For sure supporters of the order would say that by reducing, or removing CIFs means against peace and development. Just like their idol Duterte whose tirades against the opposition, that seeing their idols being questioned by the opposition over the use of public funds for "intelligence" and "confidential" purposes as persons having "insidious reasons" that "jeopardize national development."

If so, then no wonder these supporters tolerate corrupt personages that filled their own pockets with funds meant to be for the people, if not intentionally having blind eye over state-sponsored terror against dissent and justified as "national security". The Vice President had no choice to submit to public pressure by letting legislators rechanneled her CIFs to that of the coast guard and other government security agencies enough to dispel further scrutiny; but will the concerned just accept the regime's bow-down to public pressure?

In fact, contrary to these supporters claims, that "insidious reasons" is much more deserved in their idols rather than those who strongly disagree with their actions involving public funds- and such insidious reasons of theirs doesn't "win the peace" at all. 

A free Artsakh even if heavens may fall!

 A free Artsakh even if heavens may fall!

by Kat Ulrike

At first this note certainly doubt that peace will prevail over Hayastan (Armenia). For despite assurances from both Armenian and Azeri governments as well as Turkish, Russian, and western observers, the realities such as Artsakh under Baku's full control, and tens of thousands of Artsakh Armenians have fled to Hayastan in fear of Azeribajan's full military might, these does not mean will create an atmosphere of peace.

And even though it only lasted for 24 hours, that "anti-terror operation" happened weeks ago gave Azerbaijan exactly what it wanted: the local defense forces capitulated and agreed to integration negotiations. The Lachin Corridor, the only route connecting Artsakh with Armenia, was finally opened by Baku five days after Azerbaijan barred it for 10 months. Armenians from Artsakh were able to evacuate due to this, and it doesn't appear that they will return. Baku benefits from such a result because it will be "simpler to rule Nagorno-Karabakh" with fewer Armenians present.

However, what worries most is how Prime Minister Pashinyan treated the situation. Of course, the main evil-doers are that of Azeribaijan and Turkey, but how come Pashinyan cannot escape from being pointed out by Armenians as a feeble kind of 'leader'? In 2001, he wrote in his Haykakan Jamanak newspaper and said “Through diplomacy, it is not possible not to return these [Artsakh] territories to Azerbaijan…Having abandoned our own lands, we are trying to be the owners of someone else’s land.” But as he became the head of the government after the western-sponsored 'revolution', Pashinyan made numerous contradictory statements regarding Artsakh, first stating emphatically that “Artsakh is Armenia, that’s it,” and then, “Artsakh is part of Azerbaijan.” What a foolish gesture as one may say that by saying "Artsakh is part of Azeribaijan" means peace with its neighbours while blaming everyone else for his misdeeds, including the former leaders, the domestic opposition and Russia.

But did the west whom Pashinyan thinks would help Armenia did helped? Other than press releases and token 'help' are nothing else. As Baku launched a military attack over Artsakh on the pretext of "anti-terror operation", Pashinyan really backtracked from his message as he declared that Armenia will stay out of the fight, giving Azerbaijan the go-ahead to conduct all kind of heinous crimes against the people of Artsakh. Pashinyan, having washed off his hands of Artsakh had urged its leaders to sort out their differences with its neighbour, as he simply ignored them as fellow Armenians while cherished the false belief that the people of Artsakh accept themselves as a minority and will live in peace when Artsakh is returned to Azerbaijan as Nagorno-Kabarakh. Unfortunately, this couldn't be further from the truth- for as hundreds of Artsakh Armenians were killed and wounded, and thousands are missing as a result of Azerbaijan’s attack, Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan, will continue his invasion of Artsakh while facing a militarily incompetent and weak Armenia in front of him. Aliyev, who thinks Hayastan as western Azeribaijan will continue to press the feeble Pashinyan for concessions while annexing more Armenian territory. 

To be honest, this writer ain't even an Armenian, but this situation over Artsakh and even Hayastan itself would say that the flames of Armenian struggle kept on growing. Decades ago people heard about groups like the Armenian Fedayeen, to that of ASALA and JUSTICE COMMANDOS sworn to promote justice against those whose blood in hands still justified its actions. Of course mainstream media branded them as bandits, terrorists, criminals, but to be honest would say that these folks who took arms were themselves patriotic enough unlike the regime whose aloofness quite deafening even the very Armenians themselves- that also enough to rise up having enough of Pashinyan capitulated to the whims of Aliyev. Even Russia’s statesmen, including President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, repeatedly stated that Pashinyan is the one who relinquished Artsakh. 

But speaking of Russia, to see an aloof west while Russia busy with its war against Ukraine makes one think or say that their action over a fellow Christian like Artsakh is token as opposed to the press releases being churned to and fro from the other side. The Russian peacekeepers, who were mandated by the 2020 agreement to safeguard the population of Artsakh and keep the Lachin Corridor open until 2025, may've failed miserably to carry out their responsibilities. But comparable to an aloof west (and even the international community in general) Pashinyan thinks will help Hayastan, Russia tried to yet not enough as a “guarantor” of peace and security of Artsakh and Hayastan while Azeribaijan harass them through and through - thus showing the limits of agreements required by the Collective Security Treaty signed by Armenia, Russia and several other former Soviet Republics, if not the same Russia that profits from selling weapons in one country while promises to protect the other. 

What would stop Aliyev from pushing through his idea of western Azeribaijan over Hayastan? Armenians hope that the world ain't aloof in the situation they faced, they have enough of seeing the feeble prime minister who is refusing to resign amidst growing protests. Of course there are legal means such as the ICJ or the United Nations to support Artsakh's right for self-determination and its will to unite with Hayastan. But is it enough? CSTO isn't enough, even the resolutions from the European Union ain't even enough, not even the statement from Kim Kardashian.  And it is not surprising that Armenians will rise up even without the government to support with- for no one wants a "peace" that's been forced by someone who would remind through and through of a tragic 'past', but instead what matters most for them is to fight defend their homeland back even if requires violating ceasefire orders and suffer heavy casualties. A free Artsakh united with mother Hayastan is a goal for Armenians and those who support its cause, even if mountains shook and heavens may fall.

"For the sake of 'National Security'"- how authorities still stubborn in the need for Confidential and Intelligence Funds

"For the sake of 'National Security'"-

how authorities still stubborn in the need
for Confidential and Intelligence Funds

It seems that amidst controversies, authorities are still stubborn in justifying the need for Confidential and Intelligence Funds (CIFs). For as news reports talked about both the president and vice president as well as 22 other state agencies having CIFs for next year this shows barefaced corruption using national security as its pretext. 

With Marcos jr. got 4.85 billion while Sara Duterte got 650 million of CIFs, this isn’t new as despite popular criticism these authorities justified the need of such funds such as similar to the last Duterte administration with 1.7 billion in 2016 and further to 6.88 billion in 2017- and it is also the same admin when these CIFs used to fund operations “Tokhang” and “Double Barrel” that killed poor folks in the name of “war on drugs”. 

And like the past administration justifying the need of CIFs in the pretext of law and order, the current Marcos administration's need for CIFs in both Presidential, Vice Presidential offices and in government departments shows its perchance for actions "that have direct impact on national security." In an instance, Vice President Sara Duterte, concurrently as Education Secretary claims that the need for CIFs means tying Education in the needs of National Security- which obviously includes surveillance and monitoring against critics in the education sector as well as student activists. And it’s quite obvious that her lambasts against left-wing critics as well as her co-chairmanship of the NTFELCAC justifies such actions “requiring the need of billion-peso CIFs”.  

But people should recall that last 2022 when Marcos jr. transferred 221.4 million from his presidential contingent fund to the Office of the Vice President, and from this amount the Office of the Vice President allotted 125 million for confidential funds and spent in only 19 days. If one may ask, why the need of such funds when a department, much so an office of the second highest official has nothing to do with surveillance? Or is the office, or a government department being treated as a milking cow for one’s vested interest and to consolidate even further using such funds? 

For sure allies in the legislature suddenly got "concerned" on this situation, that they're acting "national interest above all" in reviewing these funds. With words such as 'oversight', 'proper utilisation of funds', and the likes these lawmakers suddenly feigning concern if not denying there is “political accommodation” in the executive’s grant of confidential funds in the National Expenditure Program. But is it enough to appease those who truly concerned? People cannot forget the scandals involving certain public officials and its misuse of public funds several years ago (for sure one would remember Pork Barrel Scams of the Aquino administration)- and now with "confidential" and "intelligence" purposes as alibis, enjoying a much greater shield from public scrutiny. However, the growing preference for CIF appropriations, especially in organizations that have nothing to do with security issues, has really and seriously prompted questions about the responsible use of public funds, transparency, and the standard of governance.

Sorry for the speculation, but this 2023 some would suggest that there is another factor at play in addition to "national security": Barangay chiefs and their subordinates are looking for financial support from local strongmen to maintain their footholds, which then leads to their allies in the national government. This is followed by a few years of midterm elections, during which local and national politicians are looking for support from ruling elected officials, including the President and the Vice President.  And it is not surprising that a stash of funds with a variety of "urgently-sounding" names are to be used for consolidating interests of those in power rather than to support and uplift the needs of a growing nation.