00:00The Supreme Court declares the 2024 and 2025 General Appropriations Acts or Budget Laws
00:06unconstitutional. In the ruling announced Tuesday, October 20, the SCNBank grants the petition of the
00:13late former lawmaker Ed Selagman. It also partly grants the legal action of former Senator Coco
00:19Pimentel challenging the increase in unprogrammed appropriations made by Congress in the 2024
00:24budget. Unprogrammed funds are standby appropriations that may only be used once
00:30specific conditions are met, such as when government revenues exceed targets or when
00:34foreign grants and loans are on the table. As to the petition questioning the constitutionality or
00:39legality of unprogrammed funds itself, the High Court explains, unprogrammed appropriations are
00:45not unconstitutional per se, but they need clear limits and safeguards to ensure fiscal discipline,
00:50transparency, and accountability. Senator Ping Lakson, meantime, says the SC ruling came at an
00:56opportune time as the Senate scrutinizes the House-approved version of the proposed 2027 budget.
01:02Senate Finance Committee Chairperson J.V. Ejercito earlier flagged billions of pesos in reductions
01:07to preventive health programs and infrastructure projects in next year's budget bill.
