The Philippines' Commission on Elections (Comelec) aims to secure a nearly ₱50 billion budget to prepare for the 2028 national and local elections, citing increased voter population and upgraded counting technologies.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Philippines is pursuing a budget of approximately ₱50 billion in preparation for the 2028 national and local elections, according to Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia. This figure reflects the growing number of voters and the need to upgrade the automated counting machines (ACMs). Chairman Garcia explained that honoraria for teachers on election day, along with training and deployment costs, contribute significantly to the budget. The rising prices caused by the ongoing energy crisis also factor into the increased expenses. The ACMs alone are estimated to cost nearly ₱20 billion, while other costs such as transmission, overseas voting, ballot printing, and warehousing may reach about ₱25 billion. For 2027 preparations, Comelec had initially requested ₱25 billion, which was later reduced by ₱6 billion after Department of Budget and Management review, leading to the removal of planned voter verification and blockchain features. On June 2, Comelec held a stakeholders’ forum to present the draft terms of reference for the automated election system. Stakeholders have two weeks to provide feedback, with plans to brief political parties in late June before finalizing the TOR. Procurement is expected to start by July, with contract awards by September. The estimated 125,000 ACMs will have procurement starting around August or September to allow manufacturers several months to produce the machines. Chairman Garcia confirmed that preparations indicate the 2028 elections will proceed despite speculation in the Senate about a possible no-election scenario. Regarding candidacy eligibility, Garcia emphasized the legal presumption of innocence until conviction for crimes involving moral turpitude or imprisonment exceeding one year, meaning individuals not convicted are eligible to run. Garcia clarified his comments were not aimed at any specific individual.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/989907/comelec-eyes-p50-b-budget-for-2028-nat-l-local-polls/story/