Malacañang brushed aside threats to question the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) before the Supreme Court, insisting the record ₱6.793-trillion spending plan is constitutionally sound.
“Confident po sila na ang ginawa po ngayong budget ay ang pinakamalinis, pinakamaayos at ito’y para sa taumbayan. So, confident po ang Pangulo,” Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Tuesday.
The statement followed Caloocan City Representative Egay Erice’s plan to file a petition challenging the legality of unprogrammed appropriations.
Castro said Malacañang respects the move, noting it is within the lawmaker’s rights.
“May karapatan po sila na dumulog sa Korte Suprema at tanungin kung unconstitutional ang parte na ito ng 2026 national budget. So, tignan na lang po natin,” she said.
She added the administration is prepared to defend the budget once a case is filed.
“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.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12314 on Monday, enacting the largest budget in Philippine history.
To reinforce fiscal discipline, he vetoed ₱92.5 billion in unprogrammed appropriations, warning these funds are not blank checks and will be subject to strict safeguards “without exception.”