SC orders exec, lawmakers to respond to budget petition

The Supreme Court has directed Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Senate President Francis Escudero, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, and both houses of Congress to respond within 10 days to a petition filed by former presidential spokesman Vic Rodriguez challenging the constitutionality of the 2025 national budget.

Rodriguez argues that the General Appropriations Act contains blank items, fails to allocate mandatory funding for PhilHealth, exceeds presidential recommendations, and prioritizes infrastructure over education.

Acting House Appropriations Committee Chairperson Stella Quimbo confirmed on Monday that the final enrolled bill has no blanks and is available for public verification in the House Archives.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also denied the existence of blank pages in the 2025 budget, emphasizing his thorough review of over 4,000 pages during a speech in Cebu City on January 30.

Senate President Escudero dismissed allegations of irregularities in the GAA, stating that they disregard the extensive legislative process undertaken by both houses of Congress.