"The Role of Comelec: P3B Budget for BARMM Polls Reset

Here is the rewritten blog post:The Role of Comelec: P3B Budget for BARMM Polls ResetRecent news has revealed that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) requires an additional budget of PHP 3 billion to reset the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary polls. However, Chairman George Erwin Garcia expressed willingness to reduce this amount to PHP 2.5 billion due to budgetary constraints from the national government.The Proposed Budget BreakdownAccording to Garcia, a significant portion of the budget will be allocated towards the honoraria of teachers who will serve during the parliamentary elections. If the president signs the bill postponing the BARMM elections into law, Comelec will begin preparations anew, involving the printing of new ballots by July or August.The Possibility of ContinuationGarcia noted that it is possible for the parliamentary polls to be considered a continuation of the national and local elections scheduled in May. If this is the case, Comelec would not need to conduct a new bidding process, as they could simply amend the original contract.The Easier and Cheaper OptionGarcia emphasized that considering the parliamentary polls as a continuation of the regular elections would be easier and cheaper. This would eliminate the need for separate procurement of election paraphernalia, teachers, and polling precincts.Preparations and TimelinesRegardless of whether the parliamentary polls are reset or not, Garcia stressed that Comelec is prepared to conduct the elections in October, if necessary. This would involve simultaneous preparation for both the BARMM parliamentary elections and the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) scheduled in December.Congress' RoleSenate President Francis Escudero expressed hope that the House of Representatives would simply adopt the Senate version of the bill postponing the BARMM elections. With President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s certification of the measure as urgent, Escudero is confident that the Senate will be able to pass its version of the bill on Monday next week.The ContextIn November 2024, President Marcos stated that they were considering the possibility of postponement due to the "unintended consequence" of the Supreme Court's ruling that removed Sulu from the BARMM. The Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) but excluded Sulu from the BARMM, declaring this decision final and effective immediately.ConclusionThe role of Comelec in resetting the BARMM polls is crucial, requiring an additional budget of PHP 3 billion. However, Chairman Garcia is willing to lower this amount to PHP 2.5 billion due to budgetary constraints. The possibility of a continuation of regular elections could simplify the process and reduce costs. As Congress deliberates on the bill postponing the BARMM elections, it's essential for stakeholders to consider the implications of their decisions on the electoral process.Key Takeaways: Comelec requires an additional PHP 3 billion budget if the BARMM polls are reset. The possibility of a continuation of regular elections could simplify and reduce costs. Simultaneous preparation for both the BARMM parliamentary elections and BSKE is planned, regardless of outcome.Let's take a step back and put this into perspective: the Commission on Elections (Comelec) plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth conduct of elections. In this case, the P3 billion budget requirement highlights the complexity and importance of resetting the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary polls.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

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