MANILA – Retired Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin believes civilian agencies such as the Office of the President, Office of the Vice President and Department of Education can be given intelligence funds so long as these are used for national security.

 Querubin who is running again for a Senate seat, said this in ABS-CBN’s Harapan 2025 on Tuesday.

 “Dapat ang intelligence fund ginagamit lang ito ng mga defense and security forces kung saan sila yung involved dito sa national security. Although pinalapad nila kasi meron nang mga agencies na na-involve din dito,” Querubin said. “Kasi kung titignan mo nga naman, yung nirerecruit nila mga estudyante 'yan. 'Yung nirerecruit nung mga rebelde, mga estudyante 'yan so kailangan din 'yan.”  

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 Querubin admitted, however, that there is also corruption in the use of intelligence funds.

 “Nung araw matindi na rin ang corruption diyan. Would you believe 'yung dumarating sa’min na intelligence fund eh ang object class office supplies. Kung minsan eh kailangan pa damihan yung gasolina na ibibigay sa’yo para ma-convert mo into cash,” he revealed.

 “Ginamit nila yung intelligence fund sa ibang bagay naman. Pero yung intelligence fund kasi akala nila hindi ito, sabihin 'di raw ino-audit, 'di totoo yun. Dapat nagsa-submit ka pa rin ng pang-clear mo doon sa binigay sayo na pondo,” Querubin further said.  

 WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

 On the issue of the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea, Querubin asserted that the Philippines has jurisdiction over the contested waters.

 He believes that the exploration of the area and its resources will help the country’s economy grow.

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 “It’s all about preponderance of forces. Isandaan yung mga barko ng China doon. Tayo dalawa, tatlo. Yung Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act na bagong pirma, napaka ano yan it’s a welcome development in the sense na sabi ko nga hindi tayo forever dapat na dependent sa kahit na sinong superpowers,” Querubin remarked.

 ICC, UNITEAM, SEXUAL EDUCATION, DIVORCE

 For Querubin, the Philippines’ justice system should prevail over the International Criminal Court (ICC) in relation to the investigation on the bloody war on drugs.

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 Since the country’s courts are working, he says former President Rodrigo Duterte should be tried by them.

 As for the breakup of the Uniteam of Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Querubin says everyone should just settle differences and address pressing problems like corruption.

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 On talks about sexual education, Querubin is of the position that parents should have the first crack in teaching their children to curb teenage pregnancy.

 Asked for his views on divorce, he said couples may avail of annulment which is somehow similar to divorce. He only requested that the process be made easier.