SUPREME COURT DIRECTS SUBMISSION OF GAA TO CONGRESS, PALACE

The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the Senate, the House of Representatives, and Malacañang to submit the original copies of the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and its enrolled bill by February 24.
The petition challenging the validity of the GAA cites allegations of unconstitutional funding omissions, unlawful increases in appropriations, and irregularities in the bicameral conference report.
The SC will hold a preliminary conference on February 28 and oral arguments on April 1 in Baguio.
Former Senate President Franklin Drilon warned that a reenacted budget would harm the economy, limiting new projects and giving more discretion to the President.
Meanwhile, the House majority leader dismissed the recent Ombudsman call for preventive suspension of House leaders as a political maneuver to distract from ongoing impeachment discussions.