The national government has proposed a ₱29.5-billion budget allocation for the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) under the Fiscal Year 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) to ramp up advance preparations for the 2028 national and local elections.
In an official statement released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the executive branch highlighted that the increased funding is designed to support the poll body’s constitutional duty while fast-tracking election groundwork.
“Under the FY 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP), ₱29.5 billion has been proposed for COMELEC, representing an increase of ₱9.31 billion, or 46 percent, from its ₱20.2-billion allocation under the FY (Fiscal Year) 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA),” the DBM stated.
The budget department emphasized that 2027 serves as a vital ramp-up year leading into the 2028 polls. It noted that the funding boost “recognizes 2027 as a critical preparatory year for the 2028 National and Local Elections and the need to provide the Commission with sufficient resources to undertake election-related preparations well ahead of the nationwide polls.”
When evaluated on an NEP-to-NEP comparison, the 2027 proposal reflects a 149 percent surge—or ₱17.65 billion higher—than the ₱11.85 billion originally outlined in the 2026 proposed budget.
A major share of the requested funds, totaling ₱23.92 billion, is designated specifically for Preparatory National and Local Elections (PNLE) operations. This marks a substantial increase from the ₱2.87 billion set aside for PNLE in 2026.
The decision to grant early PNLE funding beginning in 2026 directly accommodated COMELEC’s request to stretch its lead time to two years rather than following the traditional single-year timeline.
Under standard budget cycles, major PNLE funding for the 2028 polls would only begin in 2027.
“Nevertheless, the government recognized Comelec’s need for an extended preparation period and provided ₱2.87 billion in advance in FY 2026 to allow the Commission to commence preparatory activities earlier,” the DBM explained.
The proposed ₱23.92-billion PNLE fund for 2027 is roughly ₱3 billion (or 14 percent) higher than COMELEC’s actual expenditures for the 2025 national elections, offering the agency robust capital as operational activities intensify.
The DBM reiterated that COMELEC maintains constitutional fiscal autonomy as a member of the Constitutional Fiscal Autonomy Group (CFAG), ensuring its budget releases are executed automatically.
“COMELEC may likewise utilize available appropriations and, subject to constitutional and statutory requirements, use savings to augment deficiencies in items within its appropriations,” the DBM added.
“Through the proposed 2027 allocation, the government seeks to ensure that preparations for the 2028 elections are adequately supported while maintaining the prudent, efficient, and accountable use of public funds,” the department concluded.