SolGen urges Supreme Court to dismiss national budget suit, denies GAA flaws

The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has formally asked the Supreme Court to dismiss a petition challenging the constitutionality of the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which was signed into law by President Marcos last December 2024.

Key Points:

• OSG asks SC to dismiss suit questioning the constitutionality of the 2025 GAA.
• Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra argues the case has "fatal procedural defects."
• Allegations of budget blanks dismissed, as enrolled bill is final and binding.
• Congress ratified the Bicameral Conference Committee's work, making claims of constitutional violations unfounded.
• President exercised veto power, ensuring fiscal discipline and national priorities.

In an 89-page comment dated Feb. 27, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra urged the High Tribunal to reject the petition filed by individuals, including senatorial candidate and former Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez, citing "fatal procedural defects and utter lack of merit."

"The petition before this Honorable Court does not represent a genuine concern for constitutional integrity but appears to be an attempt to merely impede the implementation of a law that is vital to the nation's progress and the well-being of its people," the OSG stated.

Menardo Guevarra

The government's top lawyer argued that the complaint had 'fatal procedural defects'.

Guevarra dismissed claims that the budget should be invalidated due to alleged "blanks" in the Bicameral Conference Committee report.

"It is the enrolled bill, not the committee report, which is definitive and binding on other branches of government. Any previous version of a bill is internal to Congress and is not actionable," he explained.

The solicitor general emphasized that the suit's allegations focus on internal congressional procedures rather than substantive constitutional violations.

Guevarra concluded that the law's passage adhered to constitutional procedures, reinforcing the system of checks and balances.

He urged the Supreme Court to uphold the integrity of the budget process and reject the petition outright.