Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on Unprogrammed Funds
MANILA | The Supreme Court of the Philippines has officially opened the floor to debate one of the most pressing fiscal controversies of recent years: the legality of specific provisions concerning unprogrammed funds and special accounts within the General Appropriations Acts (GAA) of 2024, 2025, and 2026.
On Tuesday, the High Court commenced oral arguments on consolidated petitions challenging these fiscal allocations. The legal challenge was mounted by a formidable coalition of current and former lawmakers, alongside civic groups. Petitioners include the late Representative Edcel Lagman, former legislators Aquilino Pimentel III, Pantaleon Alvarez, Edgar Erice, and Leila De Lima, as well as the Filipinos for Peace, Justice, and Progress Movement Inc.
The opening day saw a rigorous exchange of legal theories. Solicitor General Darlene Marie Berberabe presented the opening statement on behalf of the public respondents. Meanwhile, a team of legal counsels, including Attorneys Vopetro Angi Pena, Jericho Salanga, Josef Lemuel Bakiran, Elmar Barada, and Bianca Isabelle Soriano, articulated the petitioners' stance.
To aid the Court in this highly technical fiscal matter, several Amici Curiae (Friends of the Court) were called upon to provide expert opinions. This esteemed panel included economist Solita Collas-Monsod, former Senate President Franklin Drilon, former Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, and former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad. Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen initiated the interpolations, heavily drawing upon relevant constitutional provisions to test the arguments of both sides.
The oral arguments are scheduled to resume tomorrow, April 21, 2026, at 9:30 AM.

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