9 constitutional policies on budget

The following are policies laid down by the 1987 Constitution regarding the national budget of the Government. These principles govern not only the purpose and nature of appropriations but also the procedure in enacting them.

[1] All appropriations, revenue or tariff bills, bills authorizing increase of the public debt, bills of local application, and private bills shall originate exclusively in the House of Representatives but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments.

[2] The Congress may not increase the appropriations recommended by the President for the operation of the Government as specified in the budget. The form, content and manner of preparation of the budget shall be prescribed by law.

[3] No provision or enactment shall be embraced in the general appropriations bill unless it relates specifically to some particular appropriation to which it relates.

[4] The procedures in approving appropriations for the Congress shall strictly follow the procedure for approving appropriations for other departments and agencies.

[5] A special appropriations bill shall specify the purpose for which it is intended, and shall be supported by funds actually available as certified by the National Treasurer or to be raised by a corresponding revenue proposal therein.

[6] No law shall be passed authorizing any transfer of appropriations. However, the President, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the heads of Constitutional Commissions may, by law, be authorized to augment any item in the general appropriations laws for their respective offices from savings in other items of their respective appropriations.

[7] Discretionary funds appropriated for particular official shall be disbursed only for public purposes to be supported by appropriate vouchers and subject to such guidelines as may be prescribed by law.

[8] If, by the end of any fiscal year, the Congress shall have failed to pass the general appropriations bill for the ensuing fiscal year, the general appropriations law for the preceding fiscal year shall be deemed reenacted and shall remain in force and effect until the general appropriations bill is passed by the Congress.

[9] Fiscal autonomy shall be enjoyed by the Judiciary, Constitutional Commissions, Office of the Ombudsman, Local Government and Commission on Human Rights.