The Philippines' Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe argued before the Supreme Court on Tuesday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. bears no responsibility for the release of unprogrammed appropriations (standby public funds drawn from excess revenues or foreign loans), contending that the General Appropriations Act grants that authority directly to the budget secretary. The claim drew sharp scrutiny from Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, who noted that the budget secretary is accountable to the President and that existing administrative law requires presidential approval before special budget requests reach the Department of Budget and Management. The case is part of a broader constitutional challenge to the unprogrammed funds mechanism, with petitioners arguing it allows Congress to bypass a constitutional ceiling on appropriations; oral arguments are set to continue in June.