P500M intelligence fund insertion returned to OP

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed that a P500 million insertion into the Philippine National Police's (PNP) 2025 intelligence fund was returned to the Office of the President.

The unauthorized addition was made by an individual who also reportedly requested 3,000 containers of fish.

While the individual was not named, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. had previously mentioned that former Representative Zaldy Co attempted to compel him to issue import permits for fish requested by companies linked to Co.

Remulla clarified that the PNP did not use the P500 million fund, surmising there might have been a trade-off with the insertion.

The PNP only utilized the National Expenditure Program, which is the President's proposed budget.