Manila, Jan. 8 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Thursday said the unprogrammed appropriations (UA) in the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) are "constitutional [and] clearly defined."

The DBM's statement came after Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice and Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila De Lima filed a petition before the Supreme Court (SC), seeking to declare the inclusion of the UA in the 2026 national budget as unconstitutional.

Erice and De Lima asked the SC to declare null and void Section XLIII of the 2026 GAA for "being repugnant to the Constitution."

They also requested the issuance of a temporary restraining order, writ of preliminary injunction and other injunctive remedies to halt the implementation, ...