MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections is planning to conduct a public bidding this month for the construction of its new building in Pasay City amounting to P8.3 billion, a Comelec official announced on Wednesday.
Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco said the Department of Budget and Management issued on March 29 a multi-year contractual authority, allowing the poll body to construct an office complex near the Mall of Asia Arena.
For the past 16 years, the Comelec has been renting office spaces at Palacio del Gobernador, a building in Intramuros, Manila.
“Finally, after over 80 years of the commission’s existence, the Comelec will have its own building,” Laudiangco said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
He said the poll body would be able to save almost P169 million in rental payments per year.
Laudiangco said they expect to finish the construction within five to six years.
“This is a milestone for us,” he said.