Politics · Philippines Bureau
Lawmakers call for House to recall 2027 budget after SC ruling
Opposition lawmakers are pushing the House of Representatives to withdraw approval of the P7.2-trillion 2027 budget bill following a Supreme Court declaration that key provisions of previous national budgets were unconstitutional. The move comes as Congress faces questions about the legality of its budgetary processes.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Members of the Makabayan bloc urged the House of Representatives on Thursday to recall the approved P7.2-trillion budget for 2027, citing a significant Supreme Court ruling that struck down provisions in the 2024, 2025, and 2026 national budgets as unconstitutional.
The opposition lawmakers, including ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, characterized the high court's decision as vindication of their long-standing concerns about budgetary procedures in Congress. The ruling has intensified scrutiny over how the legislative chamber handles budget approvals and whether current processes comply with constitutional requirements.
The Supreme Court's determination that key budget provisions violated constitutional provisions raises questions about the legal standing of already-approved appropriations and whether similar defects may exist in the 2027 budget currently under consideration.
The Makabayan bloc's call for budget recall represents a significant challenge to the House leadership and raises the prospect of protracted debate over budgetary reform measures in Congress. The group has pledged to continue pressing the issue in the coming legislative sessions, with lawmakers signaling that resolution of the constitutional questions should precede further budget approvals.