MANILA, Philippines — A member of Congress affiliated with the political alliance of former President Rodrigo Duterte has announced an intention to bring the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) before the Supreme Court.
The concern involves alleged “blanks” in the bicameral conference committee report before the national budget was finalized.
Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab stated on Wednesday that, since the P6.326-trillion GAA has already been signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the only remaining option is to seek judicial review.
“There are several groups who are going to the Supreme Court, and I have manifested my intention to be one of the petitioners,” Ungab said.
The lawmaker raised concerns about the transparency of the budget process, specifically regarding how blanks in the bicameral conference committee report were reportedly filled.
The bicameral conference committee reconciles differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget before it is sent for final approval.
This development follows previous concerns over the transparency of the budget process, including allegations of last-minute changes, known as “insertions,” during the approval phase.
The legal challenge aims to determine if the procedures followed by the bicameral conference committee align with constitutional requirements.
The Supreme Court’s involvement could have implications for future budget processes. The court may examine whether the procedures used during the budget’s passage were lawful and whether they comply with legislative and constitutional rules.
The General Appropriations Act outlines government funding allocations for various sectors, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The challenge raises questions about maintaining transparency and public trust in government spending.
