BUDGET Secretary Amenah Pangandaman defended the additional unprogrammed appropriation in the 2024 national budget.

She said that such is not unconstitutional.

Pangandaman made the reaction after a Supreme Court petition was filed by Albay First Representative Edcel Lagman.

Lagman challenged the constitutionality of the "excess" P449.5 billion in unprogrammed appropriations. 

He also questioned the apparent increase in the allotment, to which the proposed appropriation only amounted to P281.9 billion. 

The unprogrammed funds for the 2024 national budget however are at P731.4 billion.

"In our definition hindi po siya unconstitutional,” Pangandaman said.

She also said that the unprogrammed appropriations have “triggers” before they can be used.

“Dapat may extra kang revenue, may certification from the Bureau of the Treasury," she said.