Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang said the P6.793-trillion national budget can withstand legal and constitutional scrutiny, even as opposition lawmakers move to challenge remaining unprogrammed appropriations before the Supreme Court.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the administration is prepared to respond should a petition be filed questioning the legality of the spending plan, noting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s confidence in the budget’s integrity.
“May karapatan po sila na dumulog sa Korte Suprema at tanungin kung unconstitutional ang parte na ito ng 2026 national budget,” Castro said.
[Translation: They have the right to go to the Supreme Court and question whether this part of the 2026 national budget is unconstitutional.]
She added that the administration would respect the judicial process.
“Kapag po sila ay nag-file ng petition, sasagot naman po ang administrasyon at tingnan na lamang po natin kung ano ang magiging resulta at magiging desisyon ng Korte Suprema,” Castro said.
[Translation: Once they file a petition, the administration will respond, and we will simply wait for the outcome and the decision of the Supreme Court.]
This was in response to House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice who said that he is preparing to question before the high court the remaining unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
President Marcos earlier vetoed nearly P92.5 billion from more than P200 billion in unprogrammed appropriations proposed by Congress, citing the need to tighten fiscal discipline. Erice said the move did not go far enough.
“All unprogrammed funds, in any form, are unconstitutional. So I will have to challenge it before the Supreme Court,” Erice said, adding that a petition against the budget is under way.
Castro said Malacañang is confident the 2026 budget can withstand constitutional challenges.
“Confident po sila na ang ginawa po ngayon na budget ay ang pinakamalinis, pinakamaayos at ito ay para sa taumbayan,” she said.
[Translation: They are confident that the budget crafted now is the cleanest, most orderly, and meant for the people.]
