The Commission on Elections (Comelec) En Banc has designated Commissioner Marlon Casquejo as the one in charge of the special elections in Cavite.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia made the announcement on Thursday, Sept. 15 during a press briefing.

In July, the House of Representatives passed a resolution declaring a vacancy in the 7th District of Cavite which was left vacant when Jesus Crispin Remulla assumed as Secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

According to Garcia, they were discussing based on what the recommendation of Casquejo will be if they will push through with a manual or a computerized form of elections.

"Manual kasi medyo malaki P76 million magagastos, samantalang kung computerized election, P44 million lang ang magagastos (If we'll go manual, we'll be spending P76 million while with the computerized elections, only P44 million will be spent)" Garcia explained.

"So binabalanse natin yung bagay na yun (So we are balancing those two things)," he added.

Laudiangco explained also in July the process for the holding of special polls.

"The Certification issued by the HoR is the first step for the Commission to take into consideration the subject vacancy," he said.

After due consideration, he said, necessarily appropriations on the budget will be required or requested, the corollary to the setting of the calendar of activities, particularly the special election period and special election day.

"These will then be proceeded with varying procurement activities for special ballots and accountable and non-accountable forms, other supplies (including anti-Covid 19 supplies) and the corresponding trainings of the Special Electoral Boards and Special Provincial Board of Canvassers," Laudiangco said.

"The Commission en banc, through the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director for Operations shall be accordingly coordinating with the HoR," he added.