Commission on Elections (COMELEC) chairperson George Erwin Garcia on Wednesday requested an additional ₱100 million standby fund for the upcoming Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections during a House Committee on Appropriations meeting.
Garcia noted that around ₱3.02 billion is currently allocated for the elections but said a standby fund is necessary to address potential issues, particularly in compensating personnel involved in the polls.
“Mas maganda na po na ‘yun ang hiningi namin. Alam po natin mayroon tayong problema lalo na po sa pananalapi… Baka po kasi hindi sapat ‘yung nasa parliamento o nasa Bangsamoro kaya po tayo nakiusap din dito sa Kongreso na mayroon din. Puwede naman po hindi naman ma-tap ‘yun hanggat hindi namin po namin hinihingi at ginagamit ‘yun,” Garcia told reporters.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) noted that COMELEC could potentially tap ₱14.9 billion leftover from 2025 allocations for national and local elections.
Garcia clarified, however, that these funds are already obligated, and reallocating them for new purposes could constitute malversation. The DBM also indicated it would explore other sources, including savings from prior years.
Funding will be required between June and July, depending on the final election schedule.
Panel chairperson and Nueva Ecija 1st District Representative Mika Suansing urged the DBM to release funds promptly, citing previous delays.
“The request lang to DBM– please make sure to make it available as soon as possible. Paminsan mayroon lang lag in terms of releasing funding from savings. Nagkakaroon lang ng medyong time lag,” Suansing remarked.