Several groups and individuals filed a petition with the Supreme Court on March 28, seeking to declare the 2025 national budget unconstitutional, particularly due to the allocation of P26.159 billion for the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
The petitioners argue that AKAP was not part of the original National Expenditure Program and was reintroduced during the bicameral conference, making it resemble pork barrel spending.
They also raised concerns over the education sector’s reduced budget and the lack of subsidy for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.
The petitioners, including former Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio and former ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, seek a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from implementing the AKAP provisions.
The petition points out that lawmakers’ participation in identifying and endorsing beneficiaries gives AKAP characteristics of discretionary funds, further solidifying the claim of pork barrel misuse.
Source: PhilNews24 | March 29, 2025
2025 BUDGET’S AKAP PROVISION QUESTIONED IN SUPREME COURT
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