Unprogrammed funds challenged before SC

National

SOME members of the minority in the House of Representatives have taken to the Supreme Court (SC) to challenge the constitutionality of unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 national budget.

Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice and Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima filed a petition seeking to declare null and void Section XLIII of the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the provision containing the unprogrammed funds.

The two lawmakers also sought a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation of the funds pending adjudication on the matter.

In a report by Philstar, Erice and De Lima argued that the inclusion of unprogrammed appropriations in the national budget was committed with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.

The allocations posed a serious threat to transparency, accountability, and the balance of powers in the government by allowing the expenditure of public funds without clear and existing sources of financing, the 41-page petition said.

According to De Lima said the inclusion of unprogrammed funds in the national budget violates Article VII, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution, stating a national budget should have clear and identified sources of funding, not just the programs.

“It is clear that this reduces the power of Congress,” she said.(MyTVCebu)