HJoves @hazeljoves

Read the full text of the Decision: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=175035. Concurring Opinion: Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=175044 Separate Concurring Opinions: Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=175062 Justice Japar B. Dimaampao: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=175034. Separate Concurring and Dissenting Opinions: Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=175053 Justice Raul B. Villanueva: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=175107 Concurrence and Dissent: Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=175011 Separate Opinions: Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=175091 Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=175079 Concurring and Dissenting Opinions: Justice Rodil V. Zalameda: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=175094 Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=175058 Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=175049 Dissenting Opinion: Justice Antonio T. Kho, Jr.: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=175029

The Supreme Court declared as unconstitutional, first, the 2024 General Appropriations Act because of Congress’s increase of the unprogrammed appropriations by PHP 449.5 billion, which resulted in an increase in the president’s total recommended appropriations, second, Special Provisions 1(a) and (b), Chapter XLIII of the 2026 General Appropriations Act, and third, the 2025 General Appropriations Act because of Congress’s increase of the Special Road Fund by PHP 17.99 billion, which also resulted in an increase in the president’s total recommended appropriations. In a Decision written by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, the Supreme Court En Banc, granted the petition of Edcel C. Lagman et al. (G.R. No. 271059) and partly granted the petition of Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III et al. (G.R. No. 271347) challenging the increase in unprogrammed appropriations made by Congress in the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA). It declared unconstitutional Republic Act No. 11975 or the 2024 GAA because the total appropriations were effectively increased by PHP 449.5 billion. The SC also granted the petition by Filipinos for Peace, Justice and Progress Movement, Inc. et al. (G.R. No. E-02472). It declared unconstitutional Republic Act No. 12116 or the 2025 GAA because of the PHP 17.99-billion increase to the DPWH Special Road Fund made by Congress, which resultantly increased the president’s total recommended appropriations. As regards the PHP 12.75-billion increase to certain agencies’ Special Accounts in the General Fund (SAGF), these were found to have violated Book VI, Chapter 4, Section 25 of the Administrative Code, which prohibits increasing amounts in special provisions beyond those proposed by the president. The SC partly granted Edgar R. Erice and Leila M. De Lima’s petition (G.R. No. E-04036) challenging the constitutionality of Chapter XLIII of the 2026 GAA, which authorizes unprogrammed appropriations. The Supreme Court ruled that Unprogrammed Appropriations are not unconstitutional per se. However, this budgetary item needs clear limits and safeguards to preserve fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability. They become constitutionally infirm when they lack sufficient standards, effectively granting the Executive unchecked spending authority that weakens fiscal discipline and undermines funding for programmed projects when estimated government revenues are not realized. The Court further ruled that the budgetary ceiling imposed under Article VI, Sec. 25(1) of the Constitution applies to the total of programmed and unprogrammed appropriations. The Court thus emphasized that to be constitutional, unprogrammed appropriations must comply with the following conditions: a. In no case shall there be lump sums in Unprogrammed Appropriations. b. As part of Congress’s legislative oversight, and given the distinction between spending for the deficit and spending through unprogrammed appropriations, the conditions for the use of new income, as well as additional earnings of the Government from non-tax revenue sources, should be clearly differentiated between programmed and unprogrammed expenditures, with Congress presumptively using these new funds for programmed expenditures, except when there are clear and convincing reasons, such as foreign assisted projects, for including them under Unprogrammed Appropriations. c. Congress should prescribe sufficient standards in terms of prioritization for spending when there is more than one purpose under the Unprogrammed Appropriations. d. The provision for Unprogrammed Appropriations should be within the national fiscal program established in the Budget and consistent with its nature as a narrow contingent appropriation. The SC permanently prohibited the Senate, House of Representatives, Office of the Executive Secretary, and the Department of Budget and Management Acting Secretary from implementing Special Provision 1(a) and (b), Chapter XLIII of the 2026 GAA. As to the 2024 and 2025 GAA, the SC held that the doctrine of operative fact applies. However, the doctrine covers only irreversible programs whose beneficiaries acted in good faith. It does not shield authors, proponents, or implementors from criminal, civil, or administrative liability unless the proper tribunals explicitly find that they acted in good faith. Read the full text of the Press Release at: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=175464. Copying of this content is subject to the SC PIO’s Credit Attribution Policy: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/credit-attribu….

Write. Write. Write. Read. Read. Read.

Audrey van der Meer @AudreyvdrMeer

2 years ago

✍🏻🧠💪 theepochtimes.com/health/handwri…

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OPINION | Not by chance By Monalisa C. Dimalanta Read: zurl.co/MVxn9

Hiking Mount Fuji is one thing, but English-language guides on Japan’s lesser-known peaks and trails can be scarce. But on the semianonymous Lost Filipina blog, hundreds of treks are mapped out to the smallest detail. ebx.sh/IBRi0B

HOW THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES VOTED IN THE PHILHEALTH DECISION G.R. No. 274778, Aquilino Pimentel III et al. v. House of Representatives et al. G.R. No. 275405, Bayan Muna Chairman Neri Colmenares et al. v. Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin et al. G.R. No. 276233, 1Sambayan Coalition et al. v. House of Representatives et al. On December 3, 2025, the #SupremeCourtPH unanimously ordered the return to PhilHealth of PHP 60 Billion funds previously transferred to the National Treasury and permanently prohibited the transfer of the remaining PHP 29.9 billion fund balance. In this #SCphInfographics, see how the Justices voted on the other issues discussed in the ruling. For more, read the press release and full text of the Decision, and the opinions of the Justices: Read the full text of the press release at sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=156834 Read the full text of the Decision at sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=156755 Read the Separate Opinion of Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen at sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=156760 Read the Concurring Opinion of Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa at sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=156766 Read the Separate Concurring and Dissenting Opinion of Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando at sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=156771 Read the Separate Concurring Opinion of Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting at sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=156776 Read the Separate Concurring Opinion of Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda at sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=156781 Read the Separate Concurring Opinion of Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan at sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=156786 Read the Concurring Opinion of Associate Justice Ricardo R. Rosario at sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=156792 Read the Separate Concurring Opinion of Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez at sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=156797 Read the Separate Opinion of Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao at sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=156802 Read the Separate Opinion of Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez at sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=156807 Read the Separate Concurring Opinion of Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh at sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=156812 Read the Separate Opinion of Associate Justice Raul B. Villanueva at sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=156820 Copying of this content is subject to the SC PIO’s Credit Attribution Policy: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/credit-attribu….

IBP invites lawyers to volunteer in anti-corruption efforts through its Good Governance Council. Monitor, document, and support investigations. Credited under ULAS. Sign up now through this link or through the QR code provided. Thank you. bit.ly/4pzTbVY

The #SupremeCourtPH (SC) has ruled that unauthorized structures on public land, including videoke machines, 𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘪-𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘪 stores, billiard tables, 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘴, and other businesses on beaches, may be demolished for being public nuisances. In a Decision written by Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, the SC’s Second Division upheld the order to demolish various illegal structures along Matabungkay Beach in Lian, Batangas. The owners of Villa Alexandra Beach Resort and Restaurant in Matabungkay Beach filed a case for abatement of nuisance, easement, and injunction against Pablo and Patnubay Calimlim (Calimlims), who had operated informal structures along the beach for over 50 years. The resort owners claimed the structures were built without the necessary permits and disrupted their business and inconvenienced guests, leading to financial losses. Affirming the Court of Appeals ruling which ordered the demolition of the illegal structures for being public nuisances, the SC found that the structures were built on public foreshore land without the required lease agreement from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). According to DENR Administrative Order No. 2004-24, in relation to the 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘤𝘵 or Commonwealth Act No. 141, foreshore lands may be disposed of only through a lease agreement with the DENR. The Calimlims’ lease application was denied by the DENR, making their occupation and use of the land unauthorized. The DENR acknowledged this illegal occupancy and issued Notices to Vacate, which the Calimlims ignored. The SC ruled that their obstruction of and unauthorized occupation and use of the foreshore land equate to a public nuisance. Read the full text of the Press Release at tinyurl.com/yyp6y4kr. Read the full text of the Decision at tinyurl.com/5axh8jcj. Copying of this content is subject to the SC PIO’s Credit Attribution Policy: sc.judiciary.gov.ph/credit-attribu…

The NOAH mobile app can now be downloaded from the App Store for iOS devices and from Google Play for Android devices. Tip: Download niyo na, habang libre pa.

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Today's Inquirer front page (March 12, 2025). More at inq.news/plusfront6 📰#INQFrontPage

After more than three years, the Philippines is finally out of the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) grey list or list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring. In a statement late Friday, the FATF said the Philippines made significant progress improving its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regime. pna.gov.ph/articles/12446…

“InfoSkilled: UPLB Fostering Lifelong Learning” is a rebranded info literacy program that aims to develop information-literate individuals by equipping them with/ essential skills for effective & efficient info access through lifelong learning activities. uplb.edu.ph/all-news/infos…

I thank the Secretary-General for his acknowledgment. The #RevCon4 outcome document is robust, but the work is just beginning. Implementation is key. Our authorities now have more tools to prevent, combat, and eradicate the illicit trade in SALW. #RevCon4

UN Spokesperson @UN_Spokesperson

2 years ago

.@antonioguterres congratulates Member States on the successful conclusion of the Fourth Review Conference and the adoption by consensus of a strong outcome document containing recommendations on combatting illicit small arms and light weapons: un.org/sg/en/content/…

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🇵🇭 PH as a #partner and #pathfinder at the Fourth Review Conference ( RevCon4) of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (UN POA).

3/3 PR Lagdameo also highlights PH-initiated regional roadmap w/c illustrates PH’s resolve to combat illicit arms proliferation in SEA & establish a comprehensive framework for weapons regulation extending to South Asia & Pacific States. See full statement:rb.gy/3lje45

2/3 promoting a gender perspective in combating illicit SALW proliferation, establishing the nexus bet weapons regulation & SDGs, including in the implementation of peace agreements; the need for demand-driven international cooperation & assistance; among others.

Excellent event hosted by @PHMissionNY today on updates to the ASEAN Declaration to Combat Arms Smuggling, featuring speakers from #SOMTC Cambodia, SETC Philippines, @AustraliaUN, @NonviolenceAsia and @UN_Disarmament #UNSCAR. This is how change happens.

2/2 PH Mission thanks OSETC, MOI of Cambodia @AustraliaUN @NonviolenceAsia and @UN_Disarmament for their participation as panelist in the program.

1/2 In a PH-led side event at RevCon4, PR Antonio M. Lagdameo highlights PH’s leadership role in regional initiatives in Asia as models of cooperation that can be adapted & implemented in other regions facing similar challenges on illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. 🇵🇭

🏁End of week 1 of #RevCon4! A record number of 107 Member States took the floor during the high-level segment, 9 int’l and regional orgs spoke during IGO segment, and 25 representatives of non-govt organizations called for action. #UNPoA #SALW