The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) clarified that Unprogrammed Appropriations (UA) in the national budget are not illegal, stressing that these funds may only be used when strict conditions are met.
In an interview in dzRH's Dos Por Dos, DBM Acting Secretary Ronaldo Toledo explained that unprogrammed funds can only be released if there are excess revenues, which must first undergo rigid validation and secure certification from the Bureau of the Treasury.
“Hindi ito ilegal, kasi ito ay binigay ng Kongreso sa atin ayon sa batas pwede po natin gamitin bilang…to stop that lalo na yung sa mga project na urgent atsaka kailangan na natin iimplement,” Toledo said.
Out of the P243 billion worth of unprogrammed appropriations ratified by Congress, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vetoed P92.5 billion in line items, effectively bringing down the total UA for the year to P150.9 billion.
However, House Deputy Minority Leader Egay Erice argued that all forms of unprogrammed funds are unconstitutional. This view was echoed by Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Representative Leila de Lima, who claimed that Executive Secretary and former Finance Secretary Ralph Recto himself admitted that there is little to no excess revenue available to fund the UA.
Meanwhile, the Makabayan bloc alleged that the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) merely perpetuates the pork barrel system, patronage politics, and systematic corruption in government—claims that were strongly denied by the administration and by Toledo.
“Ang unprogrammed appropriations na sinabi ng pangulo ay hindi blanket, hindi pork barrel at hindi political funds. Ito ay isang safety net at hindi short cut,” Toledo emphasized.
Toledo also dismissed reports that benefits and salary increases for uniformed personnel would be delayed. He clarified that funds for salary hikes and retirement benefits were transferred from miscellaneous and personnel benefit funds to the respective implementing agencies.
This move, according to Toledo, would allow uniformed personnel to receive their benefits faster, as the funds will now be included directly in their comprehensive releases.
