By Wilnard Bacelonia

CONSTITUTIONAL. Senate President Francis Escudero dismisses allegations of irregularities in the 2025 General Appropriations Act during a press conference at the Senate in Pasay City on Tuesday (Jan. 28, 2025). Escudero said the unfair accusations disregarded the extensive legislative process undertaken by lawmakers and staff of both houses of Congress. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)

MANILA – Senate President Francis Escudero dismissed anew allegations of irregularities in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), calling them unfair accusations that disregard the extensive legislative process undertaken by both houses of Congress.

Escudero’s reaction was in response to a petition filed before the Supreme Court (SC) questioning the constitutionality of certain provisions in the GAA.

The petitioners, led by former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez and other former government officials, claim that specific budget allocations violate legal principles and should be nullified.

Para sa akin, unfair comment at accusation ‘yun lalo na sa bigat ng trabahong pinagdaanan hindi lamang ng mga chairperson at vice chairperson ng Senado at Kamara, pero pati ng staff ng Senado at ng Kamara (For me, that is an unfair comment and accusation, especially considering the extensive work put into it, not only by the chairpersons and vice chairpersons of the Senate and the House of Representatives, but also the staff),” Escudero said in a press briefing.

He noted that the legal challenge is a reflection of the intensifying political climate, where every government action is scrutinized, litigated and subjected to public discourse.

Mas hudyat o simbolo ‘yan kung gaano na ka-init ang politika sa ating bansa. Pero bahagi yan ng sistema natin ng demokrasya. Hindi ‘yan dapat kinakatakutan. Hindi ‘yan dapat tinatakbuhan palayo (That is a sign or a symbol of how heated politics is in our country. But that is part of our democratic system of government. It should not be feared. That should not let us run away from it),” Escudero said.

He stressed that while government officials should remain accountable and respond to criticisms, disputes over the budget should ultimately be settled by the courts.

The petition named the House of Representatives, Senate of the Philippines, and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin as respondents.

Meanwhile, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said his office has yet to receive a copy of the petition, but said “the law enjoys a presumption of regularity unless otherwise declared by the court.”

“We shall comment on the petition if directed by the Supreme Court to do so. In the meantime, the validity, regularity, and constitutionality of the 2025 GAA is legally presumed,” Guevarra told reporters. (With a report from Benjamin Pulta/PNA)