Three groups file SC petition challenging 2025 GAA's education funding

Three cause-oriented organizations, including the Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC), Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC), and Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), have filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) on Monday, March 31.

The petitioners argue that the GAA violates Section 5(5) of Article XIV of the Constitution, which mandates the highest budgetary priority for education, citing the misallocation of funds.

They contend that the P737 billion allocated to the Department of Education is significantly lower than the P1.05 trillion allotted for the Department of Public Works and Highways, despite the government's reclassification of non-traditional education-related allocations to create a misleading budgetary lead.

The petition names President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the Senate, and the House of Representatives as respondents, asking the SC to direct Mr. Marcos to desist from enforcing or implementing the 2025 GAA and issue a temporary restraining order against its implementation.

It is anticipated that the Supreme Court will consolidate this third petition with earlier ones filed by former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez, Rep. Isidro Ungab, and the 1Sambayan Coalition, among others, and conduct oral arguments starting May 19.