[G.R. No. 208566. November 19, 2013.

]
GRECO ANTONIOUS BEDA B. BELGICA, et. al., petitioners, vs. HONORABLE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
PAQUITO N. OCHOA, et.al., respondents.

TOPIC: Conditions for the Exercise of Judicial Review

FACTS: Belgica and several others filed various petitions before the SC questioning the
constitutionality of the Pork Barrel System. The Pork Barrel is a lump-sum allocation given to a
legislator. In the provisions of the GAA of 2013, it gave the legislators a hand as to how the money will
be spent. And so this was challenged because according to the challengers, once the law passes
through the legislature and becomes a law and after it is signed by the President, the Congress cannot
anymore touch that law except for limited instances when it calls for the question hour to determine if
the law has been properly implemented but, as a rule, once its already a law, Congress cannot touch it
anymore.

The court enumerated the requisites before the court can examine or rule upon the matter here which
involves the constitutionality of a law which is the General Appropriations Act.

ISSUE: (1) WON there is an actual case or controversy in the case

(2) WON the case ripe for adjudication
(3) WON the case moot and academic
(4) WON the petitioners have standing to challenge the constitutionality of the GAA

RULING:
(1) YES. There is an actual case or controversy because it talks about an actual case or
controversy concerning the implementation of the GAA or General Appropriations Act.
(2) YES. The case is ripe for adjudication because the challenged funds and the provisions
allowing for their utilization are currently existing and operational. Thus, there is an immediate
and effective inquiry to the petitioners herein, taxpayers, as a result of the unconstitutional use
of these funds.
(3) NO. It is not moot yet. The issue here enrolls the 2013 GAA.
(4) YES. It exist because the challengers here are, among others, citizens of the Philippines
(taxpayers) therefore they would be affected by the illegal disbursement of funds.