'Old habits die hard': Restored P243.4B unprogrammed funds draw backlash
MANILA, Philippines — The sudden restoration of unprogrammed appropriations to P243.4 billion during bicameral proceedings — millions above the House version and billions higher than the Senate’s — has raised concerns over transparency and accountability.
Few explanations were offered during the livestreamed hearings, prompting questions as to whether critical decisions were made on the sidelines while hearings were suspended and if motions were only made for formality’s sake.
Rep. Leila de Lima (ML Party-list), who has long called for the removal of unprogrammed appropriations, quickly criticized the sudden increase from the House and Senate versions.
“Just like the muted side discussions and long suspensions, we are dismayed and alarmed by the increased budget for UA in the Bicam,” she said in a statement on Thursday, December 18.
Rep. Chel Diokno (Akbayan Party-list) was also dismayed by the approved P243 billion, saying, “Old habits truly die hard.”
For years, civil society has flagged unprogrammed appropriations as controversial, often viewing them as a disguised form of government pork.
An investigative report even found that the funds had financed several flood control and infrastructure projects, which are now under multiple corruption probes.
Debate over legality, alternatives
De Lima said that if the items listed under the unprogrammed appropriations are important and cannot be neglected, they should have been given programmed appropriations instead.
“In the first place, bakit ilalagay sa wala pang pondo kung kailangan naman talaga ang mga proyekto?” she said.
The minority lawmaker also described the unprogrammed appropriations as “unconstitutional.” “Without a definite and identifiable revenue stream, Congress cannot constitutionally authorize such appropriations,” she added.
During Wednesday’s bicam talks, Senate Finance Committee Chair Sherwin Gatchalian explained that the P243 billion in unprogrammed appropriations is not part of the P6.793 trillion 2026 budget, as the funds will come from new or excess government revenue and foreign loans.
Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan illustrated it best: unprogrammed appropriations are simply allocated amounts for priority programs the government has no funds for yet. He asked the panel, “Why not create a supplemental budget instead after the General Appropriations Act is enacted?”
Gatchalian, however, argued that unprogrammed appropriations are more “efficient,” allowing funds to be quickly released for itemized programs such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program and other social initiatives.
Veto still possible. For De Lima, the constitutionally proper way to handle this would be for Congress to pass a special appropriations bill separate from the GAA, rather than inserting unprogrammed appropriations that are not even guaranteed funding.
“We will continue to question the legality of unprogrammed appropriations, even if we must bring the matter before the Supreme Court,” she said.
Although the bicam has approved the unprogrammed appropriations, funding could still be reduced if the president decides to veto specific line items, like he did with the 2025 budget.
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