Teachers’ group to challenge constitutionality of ‘25 budget

A teachers’ group announced on Wednesday that it plans to challenge the constitutionality of the P6.326-trillion national budget for 2025 before the Supreme Court (SC).

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the P6.326-trillion General Appropriations Act of 2025 into law on 30 December but vetoed P194 billion in funds that were reallocated to unprogrammed projects by the bicameral conference committee.

Teachers’ Dignity Coalition spokesperson Benjo Basas said the group will ask the SC to define the true meaning of “basic education,” which should be a government priority according to the Constitution.

He pointed out the Department of Education consistently received the highest appropriation in the National Expenditures Program.

Basas noted that military and police training appeared to have become priorities in the budget, rather than basic education. He expressed confidence about receiving a favorable SC ruling, citing previous jurisprudence on the constitutionality of the Priority Development Assistance Fund.

The TDC has 60 days from 30 December 2024 to file a petition for certiorari with the SC challenging the budget’s constitutionality.