A group of civic organizations and individuals has asked the Supreme Court to stop the implementation of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), citing alleged similarities with the previously outlawed pork barrel scheme.
In a petition filed Friday, 1Sambayan, Sanlakas, and Advocates for National Interest, among others, urged the high court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the AKAP rollout under the 2025 national budget.
They argued that the aid program shows clear signs of being a discretionary fund—commonly known as pork barrel—which the court has ruled unconstitutional in the past. The petitioners pointed out that lawmakers reportedly take part in selecting beneficiaries, a practice deemed unconstitutional even if deemed “recommendatory.”
The Senate, House of Representatives, and several executive agencies—including the Departments of Budget, Finance, and Public Works—were named respondents in the case.
Critics, including members of the Makabayan bloc, earlier claimed AKAP could be used as a vehicle for vote-buying ahead of the 2025 elections. However, House Deputy Speaker Jayjay Suarez defended the program, saying it’s designed to support the “near-poor”—families at risk of slipping into poverty due to sudden misfortunes like illness or economic downturns.
Petitioners also raised concerns over the budget’s allocation priorities, questioning the lack of subsidy for PhilHealth and the reduced funding for education. They urged the Court to compel Congress to hold a special session to fix these alleged constitutional violations.
This is the second petition challenging the 2025 national budget. An earlier plea filed by former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez and Rep. Isidro Ungab questioned supposed irregularities in the bicameral report, including blank budget items.
The Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments on the latest petition for May 19.
