SC strikes down 2024, 2025 budgets, sets limits for unprogrammed appropriations

The Supreme Court (SC) has declared as unconstitutional the General Appropriations Acts (GAAs) for 2024 and 2025 due to budget increases made by Congress, as well as provisions allowing unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 budget, the high tribunal said Tuesday.

In a statement, the SC said the ruling found that the 2024 budget was voided due to the P449.5 billion additional unprogrammed appropriations.

The 2025 GAA was likewise struck down because of the additional P17.99 billion for the Special Road Fund.

As for the 2026 GAA, the high court deemed as unconstitutional Special Provisions 1(a) and (b), Chapter XLIII of the 2026 GAA authorizing unprogrammed appropriations. It then set conditions that would allow the such appropriations to be constitutional. — VDV, GMA News