Metro Manila, Philippines – The Makabayan bloc on Thursday, Oct. 22, urged the House to recall its version of the proposed 2027 budget in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling on certain provisions of past laws.
The bloc warned House Bill 10858 retains budget mechanisms the Supreme Court recently declared unconstitutional.
House Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio said the 2027 bill still contains questionable fund-release conditions, unitemized lump sums, and transfers to unprogrammed appropriations.
“Ayusin dapat ng House ang sariling kalat dito sa 2027 proposed budget,” Tinio said.
[Translation: The House should fix its own mess in the 2027 proposed budget.]
He cited the ₱50-billion AFP Modernization Fund and large lump-sum allocations for local governments as examples of questionable appropriations.
He also said cuts to foreign-assisted projects created fiscal space for new insertions through unprogrammed appropriations.
Tinio said more than 6,000 new public works projects were added through what he called “institutional amendments.” He said the additions were not disclosed item by item.
Kabataan Rep. Renee Co warned that corruption risks extend beyond flood control to other infrastructure projects.
“Di pa po natatanggal yung mga paraan para may korapsyon sa infrastructure projects. Whether that’s multipurpose buildings, farm-to-market roads, even classrooms are vulnerable here,” Co said.
[Translation: The ways of corruption in infrastructure projects are not yet removed. ]
She also said the Supreme Court identified constitutional defects in both Congress’s authorization and the Executive’s implementation.
Gabriela Women’s Rep. Sarah Elago said Makabayan previously filed House Resolution 421 to investigate the 2023–2028 National Farm-to-Market Roads Network Plan. She cited concerns over alleged ghost projects and overpricing.
Tinio also said President Bongbong Marcos must be held accountable for signing and implementing the 2024 and 2025 budgets. He cited the court’s statement that authors, proponents and implementers of unconstitutional budget provisions may be held liable.
Meanwhile, Palace press officer Claire Castro disputed Tinio’s interpretation, saying the ruling did not state that the president could be held liable.
Makabayan also urged the ombudsman and Commission on Audit to investigate officials who may be liable for unconstitutional budget provisions.
Tinio also called for a full report detailing House budget amendments, including additions, cuts, and their proponents.
He said the Senate or bicameral conference committee should correct the bill if the House refuses to recall it.
NewsWatch Plus is seeking comment from the House committee on appropriations.
