Inanunsyo ni Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian ang mga plano na alisin ang lump-sum funds mula sa iminungkahing P7.2-trilyong pambansang badyet para sa 2027. Ang desisyong ito ay kasunod ng mga kamakailang desisyon ng Korte Suprema tungkol sa mga appropriations sa badyet at layuning matiyak ang pagsunod sa mga legal na pamantayan.
Pag-aangkop ng badyet sa mga legal na pamantayan
Ang pangunahing punto ay sinabi ng Korte Suprema na ang mga appropriations ay hindi maaaring lumampas sa badyet na iminungkahi ng pangulo.
Sherwin Gatchalian, Senate President
Gatchalian made these statements during a DZBB radio interview, emphasizing that the Senate would strictly adhere to the Supreme Court's directives. The court had previously ruled that the 2024 and 2025 national budgets were unconstitutional, primarily due to unauthorized congressional increases in appropriations.
While lump-sum funds will be cut, Gatchalian clarified that unprogrammed appropriations, which serve as standby funds, would still be included in the budget. However, these funds will only be released when specific conditions are met, in accordance with the Supreme Court's guidelines.
He noted that unprogrammed appropriations typically represent about 2 percent to 5 percent of the national budget. This approach aligns with the Senate's broader objective of ensuring fiscal accountability and transparency.
During a Senate Committee on Finance hearing on October 22, Budget Secretary Kim Robert De Leon confirmed that the problematic provisions previously struck down by the court would not be part of the proposed 2027 budget.