Manila Lawmaker Calls for Firearms Budget Investigation
Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr. has formally requested the House committee on public order and safety to investigate the controversial P8 billion firearms budget. He expressed concerns over the proposed acquisition of rifles priced at P100,000 each, deeming the cost excessive.
In a letter addressed to the committee chairperson, Manila 2nd District Representative Rolando Valeriano, copies of which were made public on Thursday, Abante raised critical questions about alleged budget insertions linked to the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) proposed funding.
Questions Surrounding the Firearms Budget
“Currently circulating online in social media is a letter purportedly from the PNP (Philippine National Police) addressed to the Secretary of the DILG, requesting for an P8 billion insertion in the 2026 budget ‘specifically for the procurement of 80,000 units of standardized caliber 5.56 mm basic assault rifles’,” Abante noted.
He further questioned, “Why is a budget insertion request being facilitated by the son of an undersecretary of the agency that would approve such a request? Also, the amount requested for the intended purchase of guns is quite staggering. P8 billion for 80,000 units is P100,000 per unit. What is now the status of this requested budget insertion?”
Concerns Over Leadership Changes
Beyond the budgetary issues, Abante sought clarity on whether former PNP Chief General Nicolas Torre III was dismissed for refusing to approve the firearms purchase proposal. “What specific law did PNP Chief Torre violate that led to his relief/removal? These questions call for answers. The public has the right to know,” he emphasized.
Committee’s Role in Budget Oversight
Abante acknowledged the committee’s jurisdiction over public order and safety matters, including scrutinizing government agencies’ adherence to legislated budget plans. “I understand that the committee on public order and safety has jurisdiction on all matters directly and principally relating to the examination and scrutiny of audit reports on the performance of all government agencies to determine their adherence to or compliance with the plans and programs authorized through appropriations approved by the legislature,” he explained.
Deputy Speaker Supports Probe
Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno also urged an investigation, noting that the alleged P8 billion firearms budget insertion was absent from both the 2025 and 2026 budget documents. He drew parallels to similar issues found in other government agencies, including the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“There were double appropriations, there were oversized lump sum nationwide allocations. So in the beginning we were thinking this is maybe just public works. But you know, we have been slowly going over the other agencies as well, little by little some things have been appearing and surfacing,” Puno shared at the Batasang Pambansa complex.
He added, “In the DILG for example where as you know I have some experience, some questions again recently were raised about purchase of firearms and whether or not they were in the budget. There was supposed to be an P8 billion entry or insertion in the budgets, frankly we have been looking for the item in the 2025 budget […] we didn’t so far see it unless DBM can produce it for us. In the 2026 budget it is not there either.”
DILG Secretary Willing to Face Probe
On Monday, DILG Secretary announced his readiness to undergo a congressional inquiry after opposing the proposed P8 billion firearms purchase for the Philippine National Police (PNP). “If I’m called on by Congress and the Senate to give all the details, I will do it,” he said during a press conference in Quezon City.
He also expressed willingness to take a lie detector test to affirm his stance against the proposal. The secretary mentioned that his office received the firearms purchase proposal about a month prior but refrained from revealing the source of the submission.
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