Citizens' groups to take budget concerns to SC

Several citizens' groups will proceed with the filing of a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) questioning the constitutionality of the P6.326-trillion budget, saying the decision of President Marcos to veto certain provisions of the General Appropriations Act did not address at least four "unconstitutional" provisions of the 2025 GAA.

- ELLA CARIASO

At a press conference on Friday night, cause-oriented organizations belonging to the Sin Tax Coalition said that groups are now finalizing the complaint to be filed before the SC.

Citizens’ Budget Tracker coordinator, Kenneth Isaiah Ibasco Abante, said one of the constitutional violations of the 2025 budget includes amending specific laws.

“The GAA cannot amend laws previously passed by Congress, in particular, they violated the Sin Tax Law and Universal Health Care Law that require a certain percentage of revenues from sin products, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, to be allocated for PhilHealth subsidies, but Congress provided zero (budget),” Abante said.