The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has clarified that the additional P12 billion budget allocated by Congress to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is not earmarked for the purpose of Charter Change.

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said on Wednesday, Jan. 17, that the allocated funding could be used for various activities carried out by COMELEC, such as preparing for elections, overseas voting, registration, and other related initiatives.

Pangandaman's clarification follows Albay First District Rep. Edcel Lagman's concern about the bicameral conference committee's inclusion of P12 billion in COMELEC's 2024 budget. 

Lagman feared that the funds allocated for elections, referenda, recall votes, and plebiscites could potentially finance lawmakers' plan of "Charter change.”

“It is not for the purpose of Charter Change but may be used for various activities of the COMELEC such as the preparation of national and local elections, overseas absentee voting, continuing registration, recall, special elections, referenda, and other initiatives,” Pangandaman said.

"It is not intended specifically or solely to fund the proposed charter change,” she added.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia has also refuted claims that the additional P12 billion included by lawmakers in the poll body's budget was earmarked to facilitate any potential efforts to change the 1987 Constitution.

In 2024, the COMELEC's total budget under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) amounts to P14 billion, which includes the P12 billion flagged by Lagman.

"It is the bicam committee – the Senate and the House – that added the amount (P12 billion) upon the request of COMELEC,” Pangandaman said.

“They have the discretion to use the said amount for a plebiscite if the government decides to pursue any change, or if the people's initiative pushes through," the budget chief added.

The DBM initially allocated a budget of P2 billion for COMELEC in the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP), which fell short of the commission’s initial proposal of P19.4 billion by P17.4 billion.

Following COMELEC's appeal to restore its budget during budget hearings, the bicameral conference committee approved P14 billion, a P12 billion increase from the initial P2 billion proposal, though still lower than the amount originally requested by the commission. 

The remaining P5.4 billion was included in the unprogrammed funds for future funding.