Pimentel to question in SC P450B hike in 2024 budget’s unprogrammed funds

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (File photo from Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III is set to file a petition in Supreme Court questioning the 2024 national budget.

He will also ask the magistrates of the High Court to look into the alleged “unconstitutional” increase made by Congress under the unprogrammed allocations for the present year.

Pimentel told reporters about his plan in a press conference on Wednesday.

“I’m already talking to a member of the House of Representatives, and he also agrees with my position” the senator said.

“As a matter of fact, malapit ko nang matapos ang outline namin ng reasons why the additional P450 billion made by Congress to the level of the unprogrammed appropriations as proposed by the President is unconstitutional,” he gave an update.

(As a matter of fact, I am about to finish our outline of the reasons why the additional P450 billion made by Congress to the level of the unprogrammed appropriations as proposed by the President is unconstitutional.)

The minority leader refused to name the House lawmaker he is in contact with, but he repeatedly stressed that they just need more time to iron out their arguments.

“Allow us some time to discuss with the lawyers, pero the outline of the arguments ay malapit na malapit na pong matapos,” he said.

(Allow us some time to discuss with the lawyers, but the outline of the arguments is almost finished.)

Pimentel sees Albay First District Representative Edcel Lagman as a possible ally in the House of Representatives.

Lagman had stated the 2024 budget should be challenged before the Supreme Court to “cleanse it [from] a fatal defect.”

Asked why there is a need to raise the matter before the High Court, Pimentel emphasized this move is borne out of a goal to uphold the country’s highest law – the Constitution.

“More than the budget na ito, it’s just respecting the Constitution,” he explained.

“Kasi from my memory, it has been the third year in a row na parang naaabuso na ‘yung unprogrammed appropriations,” recalled Pimentel.

(Because from my memory, it has been the third year in a row that the unprogrammed appropriations seem to be abused.)

The opposition lawmaker said in 2022, Congress made a P1B increase in the unprogrammed appropriations.

The amount was higher than the President’s proposal.

This practice also happened in 2023, when Congress made close to a P300-billion increase.

“And then for 2024, P450 billion,” Pimentel pointed out.

“If we do not stop this practice, it will really be abused,” the lawmaker warned.

“The practice will be abused, and what’s worse is that the practice is still unconstitutional,” Pimentel stressed.