Comelec vows to work harder to hurdle remaining budget processes
By Dhel Nazario
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Thursday, Oct. 20 that it will work even harder to hurdle the remaining budget processes in the Senate Plenary.

In a statement sent by Comelec Spokesman John Rex Laudiangco, he stated that the poll body, led by Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia expresses its sincerest gratitude to Sen. Imee Marcos and the whole Finance Sub-Committee “I” for endorsing its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2023 to the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Plenary for approval.
According to Laudiangco, with Senators Aquilino “Koko” L. Pimentel III, Francis “Tol” N. Tolentino, and Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla physically present at the Senate’s Laurel & Pecson Room, and Senators Jose Pimentel “Jinggoy” Ejercito Estrada, Jr. and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go participating online, he said that the Honorable Finance Sub-Committee gave "generous" opportunities for Comelec, through Garcia, to propound answers to queries on:
- Funding for the COMELEC Building and the savings it will entail vis-a-vis current rental expenses;
- Overseas voting registrants and voter turnout, as well as its “Vote Anywhere” System;
- Proposed Legislation for Seafarers Voting;
- Legislation to strengthen efforts against Vote-Buying/Selling;
- Reduced Budget Augmentation and preparations for the October 30, 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections; and
- The per capita expense per voter who actually voted here in the Philippines and abroad.
In addition to the answers of Garcia, he added that the Commission will be submitting in writing other data requested by the honorable senators.
"Accordingly, the Comelec, with this Budget, will be able to bring the elections and other electoral processes closer to the people, with more efficiency and effectiveness, drumming up innovations one after the other to strengthen our democracy," he said.
He added that Commissioners Rey Bulay, Ernesto Maceda Jr., Nelson Celis, and the Senior Officials and Directors of the Commission supported Garcia in hurdling the budget briefing.