Duterte vetoes intel fund reporting to Congress, Gaite says move may be unconstitutional
President Rodrigo Duterte vetoed a provision in the 2021 national budget bill that required intelligence fund use reports to be submitted to Congress, citing his duty to protect national security.
Bayan Muna party-list Representative Ferdinand Gaite said Duterte's decision could be unconstitutional and fuels doubts about the funds being used against political opposition ahead of elections.
Gaite emphasized that Congress has a responsibility to ensure taxpayer money is spent wisely.
Duterte stated in his veto message that intelligence fund activities impacting national security should only be reported directly to him, invoking confidentiality under the Freedom of Information executive order.
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