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From Supreme Court Declares 2024 and 2025 General Appropriations Acts Unconstitutional

How could the Supreme Court's budget ruling affect Bongbong Marcos' administration?

Likely What happens if… A possibility worth considering, not a forecast.

Marcos administration faces financial uncertainty after Supreme Court voids key budget acts The Supreme Court declared the 2024 and 2025 General Appropriations Acts (GAA) and parts of the 2026 GAA unconstitutional, primarily because Congress increased unprogrammed appropriations beyond the limits set in the Executive Department's National Expenditure Program (NEP). This ruling issued a permanent injunction against the Department of Budget and Management and the Office of the Executive Secretary, immediately stopping the disbursement of unspent funds allocated under the voided 2026 GAA provisions. This action creates significant financial uncertainty and operational constraints for the administration led by Bongbong Marcos.

Reported by 1 independent outlet Written Saturday
Effect
Strong negative
How direct
2 steps, all reported
When
Within weeks
The story
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How it reaches Bongbong Marcos

Reported by news outlets

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The facts so far

As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.

  • The 2024 GAA was unconstitutional because Congress increased unprogrammed appropriations by P449.5 billion, from P281.9 billion in the NEP to P731.4 billion in the enacted GAA.manilatimes.net
  • The Supreme Court declared the 2025 GAA unconstitutional because the legislature increased the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Special Road Fund by P17.99 billion.manilatimes.net
  • The ruling will stop the disbursement of unspent funds allocated under the voided provisions of the 2026 GAA.manilatimes.net

Why it matters

The ruling represents a major constitutional check on the legislative process, directly impacting the financial stability and operational capacity of the executive branch. By invalidating key budget provisions, the Supreme Court introduces immediate financial uncertainty, forcing the administration to manage a budget where certain funds cannot be disbursed, regardless of whether the money has been spent or not.

This controversy is part of a larger pattern of budget scrutiny, as the Senate recently flagged the 2027 General Appropriations Bill, which contains P243 billion in unprogrammed appropriations, citing issues like duplicate funding and roads found in the open ocean. The decision also opens the possibility of future legal action against the authors or implementors of the voided laws, should evidence warrant it.

What we don't know yet

  • Will the government find alternative funding mechanisms to cover the halted disbursements?
  • Will the Supreme Court's ruling lead to any formal investigation into the authors or implementors of the voided budget provisions?

What would change this answer

The Office of the Executive Secretary issues a detailed plan for budget reallocationThe financial uncertainty for the administration would decrease, mitigating the immediate operational impact of the injunction.
The Department of Budget and Management successfully negotiates a revised NEP with CongressThe long-term structural issue of unprogrammed appropriations could be resolved, stabilizing future budget cycles.

Who else could feel it

Other possible ripples from the same event.

Reporting

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Brind's analysis is written by AI from the reporting linked above and can be wrong. This explainer is a possibility worth considering, not a forecast: steps marked as Brind's reasoning are not stated in the reporting. It is not investment advice; do your own research.