A lawmaker has called on the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to explain how it plans to handle 30,000 cybercrime cases in 2027 despite its staffing vacancies and a proposed reduction in funding for its core program.
Manila second district representative Rolando Valeriano said Congress should require the CICC to present a “costed” staffing and technology plan during deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget.
The 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) allocates P588.75 million in new general appropriations to the CICC and sets a target of 30,000 cybercrime cases handled, monitored, and assisted during the year.
The target is six times the 5,000 cases indicated for 2026.
Valeriano, chair of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety, noted that the CICC’s staffing table still lists only 85 authorized positions, of which 54 are filled.
The proposed budget for the agency’s cybercrime prevention, investigation, and coordination program also declined to P409.48 million from the P444.67 million indicated for 2026.
“Congress should ask CICC for a costed frontline staffing plan showing how many of its existing vacancies can be filled, how many personnel are needed for Hotline 1326 and other frontline functions, and what additional positions, technology and equipment are necessary to meet the 30,000-case target,” Valeriano said.
He also questioned the NEP’s case-disposition target. For 2027, the government aims to submit 50% of the cybercrime cases handled, monitored, and assisted by the CICC to authorized agencies for appropriate action. This compares with a 100% target for 2026.
Valeriano said the agency should explain the reduction and provide data showing how complaints are categorized, including those that are resolved, referred, pending, or considered non-actionable.
The CICC has publicly sought as much as P1.5 billion for 2027 to address its manpower and technology requirements.
Valeriano said any additional appropriation should be linked to identified personnel, equipment, digital tools, response times, and measurable service targets.
“When cybercriminals empty a victim’s bank or e-wallet account, every minute matters. We need to know how quickly the government will respond, where the complaint will be directed, and what action will follow,” Valeriano added.
“That is how we should measure an anti-cybercrime budget.”
