The Supreme Court (SC) has postponed the oral arguments on the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), originally scheduled for May 19.
“The Supreme Court has granted the Motion for Consolidation and Resetting of Oral Arguments dated April 24, 2025, filed by the Office of the Solicitor General,” the Court said in a statement.
The petition, filed by Victor D. Rodriguez and others, challenges Republic Act No. 12116, or the GAA.
The petitioners allege that the law failed to allocate mandatory funding for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, unlawfully increased appropriations beyond the President’s proposed budget, prioritized infrastructure over education, and included undefined or “blank” items in the Bicameral Committee Report.
During oral arguments, parties are given the opportunity to present their positions and clarify any issues that may arise during the proceedings. The justices may ask questions or seek further clarification on various aspects of the case.
Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate Finance Committee, and Representative Stella Quimbo, acting chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, have been invited to attend the proceedings.
The Court has yet to announce a new date for the rescheduled oral arguments.
Rodriguez, one of the petitioners, reaffirmed his commitment to the case.
“Sa ating mga kababayan, makakaasa kayo na hindi natin lulubayan ang kasong ito at patuloy na ipaglalaban ang interes ng mamamayang Pilipino na bantayan ang kaban ng ating bansa laban sa korapsyon,” he said.
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