Marcos stands by GAA

Marcos on petition vs. GAA: We’re on solid footing

By: - Reporter / @luisacabatoINQ
/ 03:44 PM January 30, 2025

Marcos stands by GAA

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. (Official Facebook page of PCO)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the government has a “solid footing in terms of constitutionality” in relation to the petition challenging the legality of the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

In an ambush interview in Cebu City, Marcos was asked to comment on a petition filed before the Supreme Court (SC), which seeks to question the constitutionality of the national budget over alleged blank items in the bicameral conference committee report.

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“Well, I’ve read some of the filing, the complaint,” Marcos said.

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“Well, the SolGen [Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra], of course, will be the one who will argue for the government, and he tells me—SolGen Menardo—that we are on a solid footing in terms of constitutionality,” he explained.

Marcos on petition vs. GAA: We’re on solid footing | INQToday

Marcos noted that he does not know why the petitioners bothered to file it, as their assertion is very difficult.

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Among the petitioners are Davao Representative Isidro Ungab and former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez, while the respondents include Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and Senate President Francis Escudero.

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“Anyway, it’s not for me to make the argument,” Marcos said.

“We’ll let the SolGen make the argument before the Supreme Court. We’re very confident that our case is strong,” he added.

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In a message to reporters last Tuesday, Guevarra said they will comment on the petition if they are directed by the SC to do so.

“In the meantime, the validity, regularity, and constitutionality of the GAA are legally presumed,” Guevarra also said.

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TAGS: Bongbong Marcos Jr., budget bill, GAA

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