Politics · Philippines Bureau
Senate pledges compliance with Supreme Court budget ruling amid concerns
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the chamber will abide by the Supreme Court's decision to strike down provisions in the 2024-2026 national budgets, though he expressed reservations about the high tribunal's nullification of unprogrammed appropriations rules.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA—The Senate will comply with the Supreme Court's landmark ruling on the constitutionality of recent national budgets, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said Thursday, even as he raised concerns about specific aspects of the decision.
The Supreme Court earlier declared key provisions of the 2024, 2025, and 2026 national budgets unconstitutional, citing violations of the 1987 Constitution. The ruling particularly targeted provisions governing the release of unprogrammed appropriations—funds that remain unallocated pending certain conditions or the occurrence of specified events.
Gatchalian acknowledged the chamber's obligation to respect the high tribunal's decision while signaling the Senate's reservations about how the court handled the unprogrammed appropriations matter. The Senate chief did not elaborate on specific alternatives the chamber might pursue in response to the ruling.
The Supreme Court's decision represents a significant development in budget governance, as unprogrammed appropriations have been a regular feature of Philippine national budgets for years. The ruling's implications for future budget preparation and implementation remain to be seen as Congress considers the court's mandate.