SC holds 2nd oral arguments on national budget, unprogrammed funds

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court holds the second round of oral arguments on petitions challenging the legality of unprogrammed appropriations and special accounts in the national budget on Tuesday, April 21.

One of the petitions filed by the late Albay 1st District representative Edcel Lagman and others sought to declare the P448.5-billion bicameral insertion in the 2024 General Appropriations Act as unconstitutional.

Filipinos for Peace, Justice, and Progress Movement Incorporated, meanwhile, questioned the 2025 budget, particularly the increase in the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Special Road Fund from P16.756 billion to P34.748 billion.

The oral arguments would also include the petition submitted by Caloocan 2nd District Representative Edgar Erice and Mamamayang Liberal Representative Leila de Lima to declare the unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 budget unconstitutional.

Watch the livestream here at 9:30 am. – Rappler.com