🔴LIVE NOW:Top Judge Supreme Court Questions Flood Control Marcos Remulla Tulfo VP Sara Impeachment

The Supreme Court of the Philippines is actively hearing consolidated petitions challenging the constitutionality of massive unprogrammed appropriations in the General Appropriations Acts (GAA) from 2024 to 2026. These standby funds were previously used to bankroll billions of pesos in flood control projects, which sparked controversy over anomalous "ghost" projects and the alleged diversion of trust funds.Petitioners, including former lawmakers like Edgar Erice and Leila de Lima, argue that Congress circumvents constitutional budget ceilings by passing unsupported, lump-sum unprogrammed items to be released at the discretion of the Executive. Conversely, government officials and economic experts argue that these standby funds are vital crisis-management and utilitarian tools, and striking them down retroactively disrupts legitimate foreign-assisted projects and fails to solve the root causes of corruption.The tribunal heard oral arguments on these consolidated cases and is urged to rule promptly to guide the legislative branch as they prepare subsequent national budgets.