14 Nobyembre,2024 Huwebes
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Public access to final 2025 national budget talks
By Nidz Godino
“Transparency in budget deliberations is crucial in enabling citizen participation in governance, ensuring public funds are appropriated in accordance with people’s needs and interests,” Minority lawmakers filed House Resolution on Monday, November 11, calling for transparent and publicly accessible deliberations on national budget, beginning with proposed 2025 budget.
House Resolution 2067, introduced by Makabayan bloc lawmakers, urges House of Representatives to make all bicameral conference committee hearings and documents, including transcripts, on national budget open to the public and media.
Each year, national budget is finalized by bicameral conference committee, composed of members from Senate and House of Representatives, after both houses have approved their respective versions of General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
This committee is responsible for aligning differing versions of proposed national budget from both chambers, engaging in debates over final allocation of funds to various programs and agencies.
Bicameral conference committee’s hearings have typically been held behind closed doors, leaving public unaware of final revisions to annual budget.
It is only when General Appropriations Act is passed that public becomes aware of changes made.
Citing Article VI, Section 16(3) of 1987 Constitution, resolution justified its call by asserting Congress has authority to set rules governing its proceedings.
While it is not unconstitutional for bicameral conference committee to hold closed-door hearings, resolution emphasized hearings must adhere to “principles of transparency and accountability” as reflected in the Constitution.
Makabayan lawmakers argued private nature of these hearings has allowed final budget proceedings to “circumvent proper legislative scrutiny,” resulting in insertion of new provisions or items.
Resolution referenced Special Provision No. 1 of the 2024 GAB’s Unprogrammed Appropriations, amended by bicameral conference committee. It was not originally included in either House or Senate’s version of the bill.
This provision authorizes government to source unprogrammed funds from government-owned and controlled corporations, such as Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), under specific conditions.
“Insertion, despite being absent in both chambers’ versions, led to PhilHealth being required to remit P89.9 billion in excess subsidies to National Treasury,” the resolution read.
After three petitions were filed against transfer, Supreme Court issued temporary restraining order to halt transfer of remaining P29.9 billion in unused PhilHealth funds.
| Supreme Court blocks transfer of Philhealth funds to nat’l treasuryWith the issuance of the restraining order, the remaining P29.9 billion, expected to be transferred in November,… |
According to Department of Budget and Management, unprogrammed funds serve as standby funds government can use for priority programs or projects not yet allocated in General Appropriations Act (GAA).
These funds may be accessed only if certain conditions are met, such as generating excess revenue from identified non-tax sources, new tax or non-tax collections, approved loans for foreign-assisted projects, or fund balances of GOCCs.
Under Marcos administration, unprogrammed funds allocated in GAA were significantly larger than those recommended in National Expenditure Program.
In 2024, standby funds more than doubled from P281.9 billion in NEP to P731.4 billion in 2024 GAA.
For 2025, executive branch proposed P158.67 billion in unprogrammed appropriations.
“In effect, closed-door ‘Third House’ overrules decision of Lower House and Senate, are public as mandated by Constitution,” lawmakers stated.
House Resolution was filed by Rep. France Castro (ACT Teachers Party-List), Rep. Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Women’s Party) and Rep. Raoul Manuel (Kabataan Party-list).
Senate is currently holding plenary debates on its version of 2025 GAB, aiming for approval by November 19.
Senate President Chiz Escudero previously said Congress eyes final approval of P6.352-trillion budget by second week of December at the latest, through bicameral conference committee.
ISKUP! 