MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has pressed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and lawmakers to face accountability following a recent Supreme Court ruling that struck down the General Appropriations Acts (GAAs) for 2024 and 2025, alongside portions of the 2026 national budget, for being unconstitutional.
In an official statement released by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Wednesday, October 21, Duterte expressed gratitude to the high court for upholding the rule of law.
“Pinapasalamatan natin ang Korte Suprema sa pagpapatibay sa Konstitusyon at pagtitiyak na manaig ang batas, batay sa desisyon nito hinggil sa pagsabing unconstitutional ang General Appropriations Act noong 2024 at 2025, at ang bahagi ng GAA 2026,” she stated.
The Vice President asserted that the tribunal’s decision validates her earlier warnings from 2024 regarding the bicameral conference committee, which she claimed has strayed from its core function of reconciling budget versions from the House of Representatives and the Senate.
“Tama ang aking babala noong 2024 — na pinatunayan na rin ng desisyon ng Korte Suprema — na hindi na ginagawa ng Bicameral Conference Committee o Bicam ang trabaho nito,” Duterte noted.
Furthermore, she alleged that the committee has fallen short in thoroughly scrutinizing proposed budgets, describing it as an institution that has become overly compliant with the executive branch.
“Imbes kasi na magsuri at magtalakay, naging stamping pad at sunod-sunuran na lamang ito sa kagustuhan ng Malacañang hinggil sa pambansang badyet,” she added.
Turning her focus toward the chief executive, Duterte demanded answers regarding why President Marcos signed a national budget that allegedly contradicted the National Expenditure Program (NEP), which serves as the administration’s official spending proposal.
“Ngayon, kailangang panagutan ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang pagpasa ng isang pambansang badyet na malinaw na taliwas sa National Expenditure Program,” Duterte challenged.
She also questioned the rationale behind approving a spending plan that strayed from the executive’s initial blueprint: “Dapat niyang sagutin kung bakit niya nilagdaan ang isang badyet na hindi naman tumutugma sa panukala ng kanyang sariling administrasyon.”
Emphasizing that public resources belong to the Filipino citizenry, Duterte cautioned against using state funds for political agendas or personal gains.
“Ang pambansang badyet ay pera ng taumbayan, hindi kasangkapan sa pamumulitika at personal na interes ng mga nasa puwesto sa gobyerno,” she remarked.
Concluding her statement, Duterte reiterated her call for transparency and liability from both Malacañang and congressional leaders over the alleged misuse of treasury funds.
“Ngayon, panahon na upang managot sa taumbayan si Pangulong Marcos at ang mga miyembro ng Kongreso na naglapastangan at nagpakasasa sa pera na dapat ay napunta sana sa pagpapabuti ng buhay ng mga Pilipino,” she declared.
While the OVP statement heavily criticized the budgeting process, it did not detail specific provisions nullified by the high court or outline the precise legal repercussions for the targeted officials.