Metro Manila, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned Congress that possible cuts to its budget next year could hamper preparations for the 2028 general election, including the possible shortage of voting machines and fund lack for ballots, logistics, and other critical requirements.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia appealed to lawmakers in a House budget hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 1, to restore funds removed in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) that was submitted by the president to Congress.
He noted that the original ₱52.6-billion request was reduced by nearly half to ₱29.50 billion, including around ₱9 billion for poll preparations, and around ₱6 billion from regular appropriations.
Biggest cuts
Garcia said the reduced funding could leave the Comelec short of 9,310 automated election system (AES) machines.
The commission estimates the need for over 124,000 voting machines in 2028, with a projected number of registered voters at 74 million, or three million more from the latest tally.
The proposed budget for ballot, form, and voter information sheet printing was also cut by close to ₱3 billion, while deployment and logistics funding was reduced by around ₱2.5 billion.
Meanwhile, Garcia said the Comelec wants an earlier filing of certificates of candidacy in September 2027 so it can finalize the candidate and voter list and begin printing ballots by December.
“Critical ang 2027 sa preparation natin,” Garcia said, stressing that preparations should not be compressed into 2028.
[Translation: 2027 is critical for our preparation.]
No funding
The Comelec also flagged a number of election-related requirements that had no funding in the NEP, including inspection of voting centers, training and technical support, and leasing warehouses and venues.
Garcia said the lack of funding for venues could pose a problem for the filing of certificates of candidacy for national positions, as the Comelec does not have a sizable venue.
“Saan po kami magpapa-file ng certificates of candidacy sa national?” Garcia asked, noting that the commission spent around ₱31 million to lease a venue during the previous elections.
[Translation: Where will we hold the filing of certificates of candidacy for the national polls?]
Deputy Minority Leader Perci Cendaña described the proposed funding level as a “recipe for disaster” and asked what could happen in 2028 if the Comelec-requested funding was not restored.
Garcia said the commission could reuse old supplies and equipment for smaller special elections, citing the recent special poll in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
He said, however, that this setup would not be viable for an election for president, vice president, 12 senators, and party-list representatives.
No capital outlay
The Comelec also flagged the zero capital outlay that would result in deferring construction and purchases.
Garcia said the Comelec is the only constitutional body without its own office building and has had to rely on local governments for office space.
He cited staffing shortages in Antipolo and Cainta in Rizal, and Dasmariñas, saying some local election offices are serving large numbers of voters with limited personnel.
Cendaña said the reliance on local governments for office space and personnel could compromise the integrity and independence of the electoral process.
Substantial increase
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in a statement, said the ₱29.5-billion proposed allocation represents a ₱9.31-billion or 4s6 percent increase from the current budget.
DBM said ₱23.92 billion is for preparatory national and local election activities, significantly higher than the current ₱2.87 billion.
The agency said this recognized the need to begin poll preparations earlier and make sure that the Comelec is adequately supported, while maintaining prudent and accountable fund use.
