Budget can withstand legal scrutiny – Palace

Malacañang yesterday expressed optimism that this year’s P6.793-trillion national budget would withstand legal scrutiny, after a lawmaker vowed to challenge the constitutionality of its unprogrammed appropriations.

- By ALEXIS ROMERO

House senior deputy minority leader and Caloocan 2nd district Rep. Edgar Erice announced a plan to bring the issue of unprogrammed appropriations (UA) before the Supreme Court, citing the need for the tribunal to determine whether budgeting without funding sources violates the Constitution.

Asked for comment, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told a press briefing that critics of the appropriations law have the right to go to court to question its provisions.

“Of course, if they file a petition, the administration would respond to it, and let’s see what will be the result and the decision of the Supreme Court,” the Palace press officer said.

She said executive officials “are confident that the budget is the cleanest, the most orderly and most well prepared and it is really for the people. So the President is confident (that it can withstand legal scrutiny).”

Some sectors had urged Malacañang and the legislature to remove the UA from the budget, saying it is prone to abuses and anomalies.

However, officials insisted that the allocations are necessary to respond to emergency situations and to bankroll unforeseen expenses.

After signing the 2026 appropriations law last Monday, Marcos disclosed that he had vetoed seven items under UA worth P92.5 billion to restore public trust in the budget process.