Sen. JV Ejercito on Saturday called for a reconsideration of a Supreme Court ruling limiting the use of unprogrammed appropriations, saying the funds remain important for foreign-assisted infrastructure projects and military modernization.
In an interview on DZRH’s Executive Session, Ejercito said he supported the ruling’s restrictions but agreed with the solicitor general’s plan to seek reconsideration of provisions allowing the use of excess revenues and collections from new taxes.
He said these funds should remain available when additional government revenues are collected, which he described as the purpose of unprogrammed appropriations.
“I agree with the Solicitor General doon sa kanyang gustong i-apela na i-reconsider yung sa 1A and 1B. Ito po yung provision na tungkol sa paggamit ng excess revenues at new taxes, kasi kung may new taxes, may bagong revenue, sana magamit.”
Ejercito said the funds should be limited to two uses: foreign-assisted projects and the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.
He also supported safeguards preventing lawmakers from adding unauthorized projects and requiring lump-sum appropriations to be clearly defined.
The senator said the government should also follow the spending ceiling set in the National Expenditure Program, or NEP, and should not exceed the proposed budget through additional unprogrammed funds.
He cited the previous increase in unprogrammed appropriations during the tenure of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, saying stricter limits would help enforce fiscal discipline.
“Ang nangyari noon, panahon nila Zaldy Co, mas tumaas nang tumaas ang unprogrammed funds, sobra-sobra. Kaya, we are working on this naman para magkaroon ng discipline," he explained.
Ejercito expressed concern that restrictions could disrupt foreign-assisted infrastructure projects, which he described as important long-term investments that should continue without interruption.
“Malapit sa aking puso yung infrastructure projects. Nag-worry lang ako noong nabawasan yung foreign-assisted na sana huwag nang ma-disrupt ito.”
He also stressed the need to support military modernization, particularly amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea, saying the country needs a minimum credible defense posture.
With limited fiscal space, Ejercito urged lawmakers to prioritize programs that generate economic returns and help the Philippines compete with its Southeast Asian neighbors.
“Dati kapag national projects, legacy projects no touch yun eh. Para tuloy-tuloy ang paghabol natin, kailangan natin maghabol para maka-compete tayo sa ASEAN neighbors natin," he stressed.
Watch the full episode of Executive Session below:
