Funds for Cavite special polls sufficient – Palace

MANILA, Philippines —  The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has sufficient funds for the holding of a special election in the lone congressional district of Dasmariñas, Cavite to replace expelled congressman Kiko Barzaga, Malacañang said yesterday.

The special election, which is scheduled on Aug. 29, requires a budget of about P191 million, according to Comelec Chairman George Garcia.

The Comelec finalized the date of the election during a meeting on Wednesday.

The poll body has notified Malacañang about the budget requirement.

“According to the DBM, the Comelec still has enough funds that can be used for the election,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told journalists yesterday, referring to the Department of Budget and Management.

Barzaga’s removal from the House of Representatives stemmed from his disorderly behavior and conduct unbecoming of a member of Congress.

Deputy Speaker Janette Garin of the first district of Iloilo filed a complaint against Barzaga.

Garin said Barzaga displayed disruptive conduct inside the session hall.

The House committee on ethics and privileges recommended Barzaga’s expulsion after determining that he repeatedly violated parliamentary rules and standards of conduct including slandering his fellow lawmakers.

Barzaga was ousted on June 2 by a vote of 265 to 14, with eight abstentions.

Dasmariñas has around 437,730 registered voters.

The Comelec said the voting will be done manually.