MANILA — The Commission on Elections announced on Thursday that it would realign its budget for this year in order to organize special elections in the 2nd District of Antipolo in March. The Commission stated that these elections must be held at all costs.

The Department of Budget and Management rejected their proposal for a P98 million budget, telling the commission that it already had P11 million in funds for this, according to Comelec Chairman George Garcia in an interview.

Garcia claimed that without contacting the poll body, DBM denied the request.

With all due respect, the Comelec chief stated, “Sa atin pong palagay hindi naman ganun kalaki yung P98 million.”

In this instance, he noted, holding elections to fill a gap left by Rep. Romeo Acop’s death “should always be a priority of anyone of any government.”

According to the January 12 letter to Malacañang, the Comelec stated that P31.8 million will be used for professional services and that a third, or at least P34.7 million, of the P98 million budget would go toward printing and publication costs.

Since the emergency elections will be conducted manually, Comelec stated that at least P16 million will be set aside for staff, supplies, and materials.

In addition, Comelec said the budget would cover maintenance and operating costs “necessary to ensure the orderly, credible, and lawful conduct of the election,” as well as honoraria for Electoral Boards, Special Electoral Boards, and their support staff, training and deployment, and logistical support.

Comelec will need to find means to finance the elections, according to Garcia.

He stated that since the polls will go through “another process,” Comelec is unable to request funding from the House.

He claimed that following a reset, the executive branch contributed an extra P2.5 million for the 2023 barangay elections.

Those seeking to run for representative of Antipolo’s 2nd District must submit their certificates of candidacy (COCs) between February 5 and February 7.