Comelec to use savings for 2013 polls

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections is studying the possibility of using its savings to cover for the minimal budget earmarked for the 2013 midterm polls, a Comelec official said yesterday.

In an interview, Comelec Commissioner Augusto Lagman noted that the poll body is looking at a “scheme” to increase the measly P7-billion budget allotted for next year’s elections.

“We have proposed for, I think, P10.4 billion for 2013 in our 2012 budget. We were given only P7 billion. Many of the biddings will be done this year so we must have money for them already,” Lagman said.

In case the poll body spends its savings for the coming polls, these will be replaced through the budget that will be given to Comelec in 2013 by the Department of Budget and Management.  

With the minimal budget for the polls, the Comelec had also said it is studying its option to buy some 81,000 units of precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines used in the 2010 polls which will only cost P1.8 billion.

The Comelec will need P6.2 billion if it will lease brand new machines. – Sheila Crisostomo