DBM vows to comply with SC ruling on 2026 budget's unprogrammed funds

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The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Sunday that it would comply with the Supreme Court’s (SC) directives on unprogrammed appropriations (UA) in the 2026 national budget.

In a statement, the DBM said it would adhere to the high court’s directives while continuing to implement provisions of the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) that were unaffected by the ruling, in accordance with the Constitution and other applicable laws.

“The DBM will observe the applicable Supreme Court directives concerning these provisions, without prejudice to the government’s right to seek reconsideration through appropriate judicial processes,” the department said.

“Unaffected provisions remain implementable, subject to their respective legal bases, funding conditions, and established budgetary procedures,” it added.

The DBM also said that funds released so far from the 2026 UA were strictly for foreign-assisted projects, which are governed by a separate funding rule that was not invalidated by the Court.

On Tuesday, the SC declared unconstitutional provisions allowing UA in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 national budgets, citing budget increases made by Congress.

Malacañang said it “respectfully disagrees” with certain portions of the ruling, adding that the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) had been tasked with filing a motion for reconsideration.

“Magalang nating hinihiling sa Korte Suprema na muling suriin ang kanilang desisyon,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

(We respectfully ask the Supreme Court to review its decision.)

The OSG confirmed that it had received a copy of the SC decision and said it respected the ruling. However, it would challenge certain portions, “particularly the guardrails prescribed for the exercise of budgetary powers.”

The DBM said it would continue coordinating with the OSG and other concerned government agencies to assess the ruling’s “legal, fiscal, technical, and operational implications” and determine the appropriate next steps.

It added that the government would seek to safeguard fiscal stability and ensure the continued delivery of government services authorized by law. — MCG, GMA News

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