THE Philippine Supreme Court ordered Malacañang and Congress to comment on the petition questioning the constitutionality of the 2025 national budget that critics earlier slammed as the ‘most corrupt budget’ passed by Congress and approved by the Executive Branch in the country’s history.
In a resolution, the SC ordered the House of Representatives, represented by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the Senate, represented by Senate President Francis Escudero, and Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, representing Malacañang, to submit their comments within 10 days of receiving the resolution.
The petition was filed by former Atty. Victor ‘Vic’ D. Rodriguez, Rep. Isidro T. Ungab, and co-petitioners Rogelio A. Mendoza, Benito O. Ching Jr., Redemberto R. Villanueva, Roseller S. Dela Peña, Santos V. Catubay, and Dominic C. M. Solis at the end of January.
Rodriguez previously served as the first Executive Secretary of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The petitioners asked the SC to nullify Republic Act No. 12116, or the 2025 national budget, on grounds of unconstitutionality.
The Chief Executive was forced to order a review of the report of the Bicameral Conference Committee that reconciled the differing provisions of this year’s P6.352 budget due to protests and accusations, only finally approving it on December 30, some two weeks after it was submitted to him (Pinoy Exposé, December 31, 2024).
The SC petitioners, including PhilHealth members, argued that the 2025 GAA violates multiple constitutional provisions, particularly the mandates to prioritize education and subsidize PhilHealth contributions for indigent members.
They claim the budget allocates no funding to PhilHealth despite its critical role under the Universal Health Care Act, instead relying on the agency’s ₱600-billion reserve funds, which are meant for expanded benefits and reduced contributions.
The petition also criticized Congress’ budget increase—from ₱16.35 billion to ₱33.67 billion for the House and from ₱12.83 billion to ₱13.93 billion for the Senate—calling it a blatant constitutional violation.
Additionally, the petitioners accused lawmakers of misleadingly categorizing unrelated agencies, such as the Philippine Military Academy and Philippine Science High School, under the education budget to create a false impression of compliance with constitutional priorities.
Labeling these acts as grave abuse of discretion, the group urged the SC to act swiftly in upholding constitutional safeguards.
President Marcos had previously warned that the government may have to “shutdown” its operations should the SC ruled in favor of the petitioners.