Welcome to the Rappler Community

channel avatar for !AcLTjaoXfWCfXldtTl:camprappler.campin.gg
channel avatar for !AcLTjaoXfWCfXldtTl:camprappler.campin.gg
Philippine Politics 🇵🇭
ChatChat
BoardBulletin Board

Pinned Message

Breaking news, analyses, and context about the biggest political developments in the Philippines, from Rappler's political reporters and editors

System Log
crazieyahf07 has left the channel.Apr 04 09:42 AM
user avatar for @kaye:camprappler.campin.gg
Kaye
Apr 07 01:18 AM

Rappler's @Jairo Bolledo-Rappler is at the Sandiganbayan 6th Division for the last presentation of the prosecutors in Zaldy Co’s malversation case, Tuesday, April 7. The prosecutors are expected to bring a witness from the Anti-Money Laundering Council to show Co’s money trail and alleged financial ties to contractor Sunwest.

The prosecutors have so far presented two state witnesses: former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and former district engineer Henry Alcantara.

Please join the CorruptionWatch 🔎 chat room for updates!

System Log
iamgabbi and EGL joined the channel.
user avatar for @paolocootauco:camprappler.campin.gg
Paolo Cootauco - Rappler
Apr 07 03:08 AM

Here are the updates from @Patrick Cruz - Rappler of the Supreme Court's oral arguments:

(edited)
03:08 AM

Defending the government, Solicitor General Darlene Marie Berberabe challenged the characterization of unprogrammed appropriations as "blank checks" or "unconditional" funds.

03:08 AM

She clarified the distinction using a household analogy.

Programmed Appropriations: These are essential expenditures, much like a family’s budget for daily sustenance and food.

03:08 AM

Unprogrammed Appropriations (UAs): These represent "aspirational needs" or critical items like roof repairs that are necessary but lack a finalized funding source.

03:08 AM

The Berberabe emphasized that UAs are specifically funded by excess revenues, new tax collections, or proceeds from foreign-assisted project loans.

System Log
Rhada Amarila has joined the channel.Apr 07 03:10 AM
user avatar for @paolocootauco:camprappler.campin.gg
Paolo Cootauco - Rappler
Apr 07 03:27 AM

Economics professor Winnie Monsod, standing as an amicus curiae, said unprogrammed appropriations “dilutes congressional control over public spending.”


She said UA weakens budget transparency through legislative scrutiny and increases the risk to discretionary allocation. Monsod also pointed out that UA blurs institutional accountability and undermines fiscal discipline and debt sustainability. Monsod also noted that UA also weakens link to development planning. 


As a result, Monsod said that spike in UAs significantlly affected GDP growth targets and national government deficit-to-GDP ratio.

user avatar for @paolocootauco:camprappler.campin.gg
Paolo Cootauco - Rappler
Apr 07 03:56 AM

Former senator Franklin Drilon told the Supreme Court that unprogrammed appropriations (UA) are not inherently unconstitutional, but may become unlawful in practice.

03:56 AM

Appearing as amicus curiae during oral arguments on the national budget, Drilon warned that a “low threshold” for excess revenues allows funding for “inflated lists” of items moved from the programmed budget—making supposedly contingent funds “almost certain.”

03:56 AM

He said this blurs the line between programmed and unprogrammed spending, stripping UAs of their character as special appropriations and turning them into “disguised general appropriations” that expand the President’s proposed budget.

03:56 AM

“In these perfect storms, your honors, the violation is not found in the text of the law but in the arithmetic of its execution,” Drilon said.

System Log
GaalD has joined the channel.Apr 07 04:54 AM
user avatar for @lianbuan:camprappler.campin.gg
Lian Buan - Rappler
Apr 07 06:05 AM

You can watch back a previous episode of Inside Track where we explain UA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6wsGDgQWA4&t=4s

user avatar for @patrickcruz:camprappler.campin.gg
Patrick Cruz - Rappler
Apr 07 06:37 AM

Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen questioned Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe over the transfer of significant budget items from programmed funds to unprogrammed appropriations under the 2024 General Appropriations Act.
These include the P7.05-billion allocation for the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education program or the program for free college education.

(edited)
System Log
Js has joined the channel.Apr 07 04:06 PM
user avatar for @dwightdeleon:camprappler.campin.gg
Dwight de Leon - Rappler
Apr 08 03:00 AM

GARIN: OIL SUPPLY IN PH ENOUGH FOR 50 DAYS

The House begins discussions on the oil and energy crisis in the Philippines. Various government agencies are invited to brief the House.
DOE Secretary Sharon Garin says the Philippines has on average 50 days' worth of oil supply left. She explains that this means that they are using this period to get replenishment.

(edited)
user avatar for @sabrinago2000:camprappler.campin.gg
Sabrina Joyce Go - Rappler
Apr 08 03:24 AM

Over 5,000 Filipino seafarers stranded in the Gulf – DFA

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Andrelita Austria tells the House ways and means committee on Wednesday, April 8, that about 2,000 ships with over 20,000 seafarers are stranded in the Persian Gulf.

She says 5,601 Filipino seafarers are aboard 477 vessels in the area, based on data from the Department of Migrant Workers.

Fewer than 200 ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since hostilities began, she says. | via Herbie Gomez/Rappler

user avatar for @dwightdeleon:camprappler.campin.gg
Dwight de Leon - Rappler
Apr 08 05:25 AM

COURT ORDERS MADRIAGA TO ATTEND SARA IMPEACHMENT HEARING AT HOUSE

The Regional Trial Court Branch 21 in Manila has ordered Ramil Madriaga to appear before the House justice committee's public hearing on the impeachment case of VP Sara Duterte on April 14.

user avatar for @dwightdeleon:camprappler.campin.gg
Dwight de Leon - Rappler
Apr 08 08:44 AM

Duterte fails to get TRO from SC; House impeachment hearing proceeds April 14
The Supreme Court ignored Vice President Sara Duterte's request for a temporary restraining order, which would prevent the House of Representatives from proceeding with the impeachment hearing.
The SC, in a press release, directs respondents instead to submit a comment within 10 days.

08:45 AM

"No TRO vs Duterte impeachment proceedings: See you on April 14," Ridon says.

System Log
Jeng, Jojo, CN Llige, CINCHYU, The Vinsons and 3 others joined the channel.
System Log
Kap Neli Tuazon and Jm joined the channel.
System Log
Kapansanan Ang Maging DDS and Freespeaker joined the channel.
user avatar for @dwightdeleon:camprappler.campin.gg
Dwight de Leon - Rappler
Apr 10 02:54 AM

Arroyo denies plotting to oust Speaker Bojie Dy

Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo denies a report that she is supposedly plotting to unseat Speaker Bojie Dy.

Read her statement below. @here

02:54 AM

System Log
DMU has joined the channel.Apr 10 06:13 AM
System Log
Steph has joined the channel.Apr 11 02:04 PM
You're viewing Philippine Politics 🇵🇭 . Join the community and chat for free!