Philippine National Police’s IT Budget Boost to Enhance Cybercrime Battle: Lawmaker

In a move to bolster the fight against cybercrimes and promote governmental transparency, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has seen the restoration of PHP500 million to its information technology (IT) budget. Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco, who chairs the House Information and Communications Technology Committee, praised President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to shift funds from the PNP’s intelligence budget to its IT initiatives. Tiangco emphasized the necessity of keeping law enforcement equipped to tackle the evolving challenges of cyberspace, including phishing scams and identity theft. He highlighted the urgency of this investment, citing Social Weather Stations data showing that 7.2 percent of Filipino families were victims of cybercrimes in September 2024. Tiangco also advocated for enhancements to the PNP’s 911 emergency hotline system, which is frequently disrupted by prank calls, suggesting the development of an Integrated National 911 System to improve response times and deter misuse. The budget reallocation comes after President Marcos ordered the reversal of cuts to the PNP’s IT programs and the removal of ‘inserted’ intelligence funds. Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla noted that several critical IT projects had faced significant budget reductions in the 2025 General Appropriations Act, including the National Police Clearance System, the Safe Camp Security System, and the PNP Drug-Related Data Integration and Generation System. In contrast, funds were allocated for all-terrain amphibious vehicles and additional intelligence funds. Following Marcos’ directive, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman was instructed to restore the IT budget to its original amount and eliminate the added intelligence funds, with the reallocated funds also supporting the enhancement of the 911 emergency system.