Drilon: Congress must clarify SC ruling on unprogrammed funds

ORION, Bataan – The Bataan chapter of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines remains opposed to the national government’s plan to rehabilitate and eventually operate the mothballed 40-year-old Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in Morong town.  Orion town Mayor Antonio Raymundo, Jr., LMP Bataan Chapter president, in an interview on Thursday said the stand of

MANILA, Philippines — Senate Finance chairperson JV Ejercito on Thursday appealed to the House of Representatives not to recall its version of the 2027 House General Appropriations Bill (HGAB). This comes after lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc urged the House to recall its approval of the P7.2-trillion budget measure. “I’m appealing because I’m worried about

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Anti-narcotics operatives dismantled a local supply link in this city Wednesday morning, seizing nearly P750,000 worth of suspected shabu from a man police tagged as a high-value target. Police identified the 44-year-old suspect only by his alias, “Levi,” who was arrested during a joint buy-bust operation near his residence in

MANILA, Philippines—While saying that the Senate will comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday expressed concern over its decision to strike down certain provisions governing the release of unprogrammed appropriations (UA).  The high tribunal earlier declared key provisions of the 2024, 2025 and 2026 national budgets unconstitutional for violating constitutional

MANILA, Philippines — A Pasay cop faces a complaint from the National Police Commission (Napolcom) after his live-in partner accused him of repeatedly beating and threatening her throughout their nearly six years of living together. The live-in partner, identified only as alias Kara, filed an administrative complaint against Police Staff Sgt. Tyran John Miranda at

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — Police in Soccsksargen (Region 12) have rolled out “Speak Up Boxes” in schools to give students, teachers, and other school personnel a way to report threats and suspicious activities without having to approach authorities in person. The initiative of the Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12) aims to encourage members of

MANILA, Philippines — ACT Teachers party-list Antonio Tinio on Thursday believes that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. must be held accountable for implementing the 2024, 2025 and 2026 national budgets. His remark comes following the declaration of the Supreme Court (SC) that there are certain provisions that are unconstitutional.  In its decision, SC said Congress committed

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Thursday assured the public that it has adopted a stricter vetting process for infrastructure projects included in the proposed 2027 national budget. During the hearing on the proposed budget of the DBM, Senate finance committee chair JV Ejercito asked Budget Secretary Kim Robert de

MANILA, Philippines — A prosecution witness told the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Thursday that he saw former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co give a shirt as a “gift” to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, not “maleta” (suitcase) with cash. Police Maj. Hermelo Dichoso, team leader of Co’s security team, testified during the bail hearing

LEGAZPI CITY — The Supreme Court’s ruling against unprogrammed appropriations in previous national budgets has vindicated the late Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman’s challenge to the controversial budget mechanism. In a statement on Thursday, Albay Rep. Krisel Lagman, Edcel’s daughter, welcomed the high court’s Oct. 7 decision, which ruled unconstitutional Congress’ P449.5-billion increase in unprogrammed appropriations

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has launched a nationwide probe into foreigners’ fraudulent procurement of birth certificates, passports and other documents used as proof of Filipino citizenship, Director Melvin Matibag said Thursday. The probe follows Matibag’s earlier concerns about illegal activities involving foreign nationals, including Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) and

MANILA, Philippines — Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe on Thursday advised the executive branch to defer the use of certain 2026 budget funds while awaiting the final ruling of the Supreme Court (SC). “Our advice to DBM (Department of Budget and Management) and the executive branch would be to hold off on using the funds for now,