The Price of Secrecy: Malacañang Retains P4.5 Billion in “Secret Funds” for 2026

As President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. officially signed the ₱6.793 trillion National Budget for 2026 into law on January 5, one figure has reignited a fierce national debate: the ₱4.5 billion allocated to the Office of the President (OP) for Confidential and Intelligence Funds (CIF).