The Supreme Court (SC) has scheduled two oral arguments on April 1 and 22 to tackle the constitutionality of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 and the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) Act of 2023.
During the upcoming proceedings, parties will present their positions and clarify issues that arise, while justices will pose questions and seek further explanations.
On April 1, the SC will hear oral arguments on the constitutionality of the 2025 GAA. The petitioners, led by former Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez, have raised concerns regarding blank items in the bicameral conference committee report on the national budget.
In an advisory, the SC directed the Office of the President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives to submit the enrolled bill of the 2025 GAA ahead of the preliminary conference, which is set for February 28.
Meanwhile, on April 22, the High Tribunal will hear arguments on the constitutionality of the MIF Act of 2023.
The petitioners—Bayan Muna Chairman Neri Colmenares, former Bayan Muna Representatives Isagani Zarate and Ferdinand Gaite, and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III—contend that the MIF is unconstitutional.
The SC has directed the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Land Bank of the Philippines, and the Development Bank of the Philippines to submit their respective comments within a non-extendible period of 10 days from notice.
“The SC directed them to file their respective comments within a non-extendible period of 10 days from notice,” SC Spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting said.
Both sessions will be held at the SC En Banc Session Hall in the SC Baguio Compound.
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