Comelec: P700 M allocated for 2013 polls’ security measures

MANILA, Philippines - About P700 million has been allocated for security measures for the midterm elections next year.

Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is still discussing the financial aspect of preparations for the elections, including the sharing of funds between the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“We have about P700 million... We (Comelec) have some savings to augment the budget. The amount will be divided between the PNP and the AFP. The PNP is requesting for 90 percent of the funds, and the AFP is also requesting 90 percent.”

Brillantes presided over the first command conference between the Comelec and the PNP at Camp Crame in Quezon City regarding security preparations for the national and local elections next year.

During the closed-door meeting, police officials led by PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome briefed Brillantes and the six commissioners about security, particularly on actual peace and order relating to the upcoming elections.

Brillantes commended the PNP’s security preparations for the elections, dubbed SAFE or Secure and Fair Elections 2013.

“It was a very general discussion about the PNP security plan,” he said. “The PNP participation comes in during elections.”

Brillantes said the Comelec might come up with a similar program to be named CARE for Credible and Reliable Election.

“After the filing of COC (certificate of candidacy), political enemies have been revealed,” he said. “The actual election period will commence in January.”

Brillantes tapped Comelec Commissioner Elias Yusoph to coordinate with the PNP and AFP on the implementation of the gun ban, which will start on Jan. 13 or 120 days before the May 13 national and local elections.

“We have already designated Commissioner Yusoph to be in charge of the gun ban. He will be coordinating with the police. We discussed matters on areas of concern, how and where to put up checkpoints and other details of checkpoint as well as other coordinating moves,” he said.

Brillantes said no exemption will be granted outside the Comelec resolution.

“There must be close coordination (between the Comelec and the PNP), it is very important to coordinate during the election period,” he said.