THE Senate has created an oversight committee on intelligence and confidential funds of various intelligence agencies to address the recent threats to the country's national security.
Senate Resolution 361, which was adopted Monday, 361 acknowledged the need for the chamber to oversee the efficiency of concerned government institutions in the production of accurate and timely intelligence information to better deal with threats to national security.
Senator Gregorio Honasan, who was named chairman of the panel, noted that in the 2017 General Appropriations Act, P5.48 billion has been allocated for confidential and intelligence funds to make sure that the national defense, peace and order and our national security will not be sacrificed.
"We should really know how they are handling this matter. The intelligence and confidential funds are not subject to the regular auditing rules and procedures of the Commission on Audit, but we in the Senate wants to know how they are handling this critical matter,” Honasan said.
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said the proper agencies must explain the apparent failure of intelligence in the series of blasts in Quiapo, Manila.
"I want them to account for every peso that was allocated to them and why they failed to get the proper information to counter this move," he said.
Named as panel members are senators Richard Gordon, Panfilo Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV and Senator Francis Pangilinan. (SunStar Philippines)