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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Banking & Finance devider DBM stands by constitutionality of ₱151 billion unprogrammed funds amid SC petition

DBM stands by constitutionality of ₱151 billion unprogrammed funds amid SC petition

Published Jan 8, 2026 03:53 pm

At A Glance

  • Amid reports that a petition challenging the fund was filed before the Supreme Court (SC), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) reaffirmed the constitutionality of the ₱150.9 billion unprogrammed appropriations (UA) under the 2026 national budget.
Amid reports that a petition challenging the fund was filed before the Supreme Court (SC), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) reaffirmed the constitutionality of the ₱150.9 billion unprogrammed appropriations (UA) under the 2026 national budget.
As of Jan. 8, however, the DBM said it has yet to receive an official copy of the petition.
“Upon receipt, the Department will carefully review the same and, consistent with established procedure, transmit the petition to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), which is the government’s statutory counsel,” the DBM said.
Unprogrammed funds, the DBM stressed, are standby funds released only under clearly defined fiscal conditions and subject to strict validation and control mechanisms, noting that they are not a lump-sum or discretionary spending fund.
Further, the DBM noted that UA for the fiscal year (FY) 2026 is the lowest since 2019, highlighting tighter fiscal discipline and strengthened safeguards.
The agency said it remains committed to constitutional compliance, court authority, and transparent, accountable budget implementation.
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