Philippine Solicitor General Urges Hold on Budget Disbursements, Plans Appeal of Supreme Court Ruling
MANILA — Philippine Solicitor General Darlene Marie B. Berberabe recommended on October 22, at a Malacañang briefing, that disbursements of 2026 budget funds covered by a Supreme Court judgment be held in abeyance. The Office of the Solicitor General plans to file a motion for reconsideration with the Supreme Court before November 4.
The Supreme Court earlier ruled that certain congressional increases to unprogrammed appropriations were unconstitutional, including an arrangement involving 449.5 billion pesos in 2024. Berberabe said releasing the funds before the reconsideration is resolved would carry legal risks.
Budget compliance has been a focus of Philippine politics, involving disputes between the executive and legislative branches over fiscal authority. How the Supreme Court handles the motion will affect the pace of implementation of the 2026 budget.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 马尼拉菲律宾最高法院大楼 / Supreme Court of the Philippines, Manila。图片：© Patrick Roque / CC BY-SA 3.0，Wikimedia Commons
