House leaders assure SC full compliance on budget bill

Leaders of the House of Representatives on Friday assured full compliance with the Supreme Court's (SC) request for a copy of the enrolled bill containing the 2025 national budget and this year’s signed budget, as the SC prepares to hold oral arguments to settle the controversy surrounding the measure.

House Assistant Majority Leaders Jude Acidre and Jil Bongalon expressed confidence that no irregularities would be found during the SC review, scheduled to begin on February 28 with oral arguments set for April 1 in Baguio City.

Acidre emphasized the regularity of the GAA process and welcomed the Supreme Court's initiative to require a copy of the enrolled bill, stating it is above board.

Bongalon noted that petitioners challenging the budget’s validity must formally request it from the House, countering claims that they were unable to obtain a copy, and assured there are no blank spaces in any documents submitted.

The petitioners include allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte, such as Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab and former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez.

House leaders also denounced calls by Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez to suspend Speaker Martin Romualdez over alleged document falsification, viewing it as an attempt to divert attention from the ongoing impeachment case against the Vice President.