Akbayan Party-list Representative and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno called for a sweeping amendment to the 2026 National Budget, proposing to completely remove all unprogrammed appropriations amounting to ₱243.2 billion.
“If these items are truly part of the budget priorities, then they should be included in the programmed appropriations of the respective department’s budget,” Diokno said, arguing that unprogrammed funds lack transparency and allow room for discretionary spending.
However, House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Rep. Mika Suansing of Nueva Ecija’s 1st District clarified that the latest version of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) had already undergone adjustments.
“Wala na pong SAGIP… ang laman na lang po ng sheltering assistance for social programs would be ₱45 billion in total,” Suansing explained, referring to the removal of the SAGIP (Strengthening Assistance for Government Infrastructure Programs) provision, which previously included infrastructure projects under unprogrammed appropriations.
She added that the remaining unprogrammed items now primarily cover subsidies for farmers, shortfalls in the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program), and international commitments such as foreign-assisted projects (FAPs).
“Hindi po nating pwedeng hindi pondohan ito, sapagkat mga commitments po natin ito with our multilateral and bilateral partners,” Suansing emphasized, citing obligations with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Following deliberations, the House Committee on Appropriations rejected Diokno’s amendment, and when the body was called to vote, the “Ayes” prevailed.