Baguio mayor seeks audit probe into voided budget provisions

BAGUIO CITY — Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Monday urged the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a comprehensive audit of government appropriations in light of the Supreme Court's ruling that declared certain provisions of three consecutive national budgets unconstitutional.

Magalong also called on the Office of the Ombudsman to launch an independent investigation to establish whether government officials bore responsibility for the constitutional violations embedded in the appropriations bills.

The Supreme Court's decision to void provisions across the 2024, 2025, and 2026 national budgets has raised questions about the legality of government spending and budget execution during the affected fiscal years. The ruling underscores concerns over the proper constitutional review of major fiscal legislation before implementation.

Magalong's appeal reflects growing calls from local officials for accountability and transparency in how the government handled the defective appropriations. The twin investigations he is seeking would provide clarity on the extent of the budget irregularities and identify any officials who may have failed in their duty to ensure constitutional compliance.