Minority lawmakers Rep. Leila de Lima and Rep. Edgar Erice filed a petition with the Supreme Court on January 8 seeking to strike down P150 billion in unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 national budget.
They argued the funds are unconstitutional because they have no clear source of financing and deviate from the line-item structure required by the Constitution.
Unprogrammed appropriations, or “standby funds,” can only be used if excess revenues, new taxes, or additional loans become available, creating a space where public money can be spent without strict legislative oversight.
The funds have existed since 1989 but have grown in recent years, with President Marcos vetoing P92.5 billion from the original 2026 allocation of P243 billion.
The petition seeks urgent Supreme Court review to prevent potential misuse of public funds and determine whether unprogrammed appropriations may legally continue.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 9, 2026
