House denies motion recalling P7.2-trillion budget bill

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives on Tuesday rejected a motion to reconsider the P7.2-trillion spending bill that the chamber passed nearly a month ago, turning down a proposal that would’ve recalled the budget measure back to the House.

House lawmakers rejected in a voice vote Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Robert Nazal’s motion to rescind the spending bill to address potential flaws that could afflict the 2027 budget, particularly its unprogrammed funding provisions that critics say is vulnerable to legal challenge.

READ: House urged to recall 2027 proposed budget to fix flaws

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“Our motion does not aim to obstruct the passing of the national budget. We only wish to ensure that the appropriations and conditions for release of funding are in accordance with the Constitution and the decision of the Supreme Court,” Nazal, a minority lawmaker, told the House floor after the vote.

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Last month, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that key provisions 2024, 2025 and 2026 national budgets breached constitutional spending limits when lawmakers unilaterally inflated the executive’s request for unprogrammed funds.

Designed as a contingency tool, unprogrammed appropriations (UA) are standby funding that the government can only access only when revenue collections exceed targets or when loans are secured.

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, who on Tuesday delivered a speech voicing concern over the 2027 budget, had previously called the House to overhaul the budget bill’s standby funding provisions, which he said mirrored those of the budgets struck as unconstitutional by the SC.

“I respectfully request that these provisions be reviewed and appropriately corrected before the 2027 budget is enacted,” said Nazal.

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Tinio, a budget critic, said it was “disheartening” that his fellow lawmakers rejected the motion to reconsider the spending bill.

“t would have been an opportunity for the House to understand the Supreme Court’s decision, to recognize why abusing unprogrammed appropriations is wrong, and to see why prohibited lump-sum funds are wrong,” he told the floor after the vote in Filipino. /jpv