The Supreme Court PH has ordered the House of Representatives of the Philippines and the Senate to submit documents explaining the substantial changes made to the national budget during bicameral conference committee deliberations.
The directive was issued by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen during oral arguments on consolidated petitions questioning the constitutionality of unprogrammed appropriations in the national budget.
Leonen said the Court wanted to determine whether supporting documents existed to justify the adjustments made by the bicameral conference committee after both chambers had approved their respective versions of the General Appropriations Bill.
The Court noted that the House and Senate versions of the budget were reportedly aligned with the National Expenditure Program submitted by the Executive branch. However, additional appropriations amounting to about P400 billion to P500 billion were later reflected in the bicameral conference committee’s final version.
Citing concerns earlier raised by Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Leonen directed counsels representing Congress to obtain records from both chambers showing how the changes were computed and approved.
Leonen said the Court wanted to know whether supporting documents accompanied the bicameral conference committee report. If no records exist, he said Congress should provide a certification stating that there are no supporting documents and explain how the increases and reductions in appropriations were determined.
The justice also pointed to appropriation figures that included centavo amounts, saying the Court wanted clarification on the methodology used in arriving at the revised allocations.
The order came as the Supreme Court continued its examination of the budget-making process and the legality of appropriations challenged in the petitions before the Court.
