Manila, Philippines – The Supreme Court has set the schedule for the oral arguments and hearing over the controversial General Appropriations Act (GAA).
SC En Banc set April 8 and 22 as the dates to tackle the four consolidated certiorari and prohibition petitions related with the national budget.
The petitions were in relation to some provisions under the unprogrammed funds and Special Accounts included in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 GAA.
The petitioners seek to nullify the amendments on unprogrammed appropriations and special accounts made by the Bicameral Conference Committee, which resulted to the spike in the national budget.
Two of the four petitions were filed by former Albay First District Representative Edcel C. Lagman, Camarines Sur Representative Gabriel H. Bordado Jr., Basilan Representative Mujiv S. Hataman, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Congressman Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez.
The group’s prayer is for the High Court to declare as unconstitutional bicam’s inclusion of PHP 449.5 bilyon to the 2024 GAA.
Filipinos for Peace, Justice, and Progress Movement Inc. (FPJPM) meanwhile questioned the amendments in the 2025 GAA Special Accounts, that increased Department of Public Works and Highways’ Special road fundfrom PHP 16.756 billion to 34.748 billion.
The third petition was the latest, filed by Caloocan Second District Representative Edgar R. Erice and Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima, challenging the legality of the unprogrammed funds under the 2026 GAA.
The petition prays for it to be declared as unconstitutional.
Under the 2026 GAA, Marcos vetoed some items under the UA amounting to P92.5 billion, leaving P150 billion for unprogrammed funds.
UA gained backlash from the public as it was pointed out as the root of corruption in the government.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News