CHARTER CHANGE | Comelec head says P3.8 billion needed to fund an election for Con-Con delegates

March 9, 2023 , 09:20 PM

By Clarist Zablan

(March 9, 2023) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will need at least P3.8 billion in additional funding if the Congress pushes for charter change through a constitutional convention, the poll body chairman said on Thursday.

George Garcia said the ballots for electing delegates will now have to be printed separately because the poll body has already finished printing the ballots for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE).

“Hindi na po namin maisasama iyan (constitutional convention delegates) sa balota … and therefore, kakailanganin po na magprint ng dagdag na 67 million ballots para sa paghahalal ng delegado,” Garcia told reporters.

Lawmakers have been pushing for amendments in the 1987 Constitution proposed holding the election of constitutional convention delegates alongside the upcoming BSKE on October 30 to save government resources.

On Tuesday, the lower house of Congress approved an implementing measure on the proposed charter change on second reading. This came shortly after it approved a resolution of both chambers of the Congress pushing for a constitutional convention.

The implementing bill proposed a hybrid constitutional convention composed of elected and appointed delegates.
Garcia gave assurance that Comelec is ready to hold the election of delegates alongside the upcoming BSKE.

But in addition to the printing costs, the election body will also need more funding to give additional honoraria to teachers who will serve as poll workers, as they are expected to work overnight in tallying the votes for all ballots, he said.

Garcia also stressed the need for funding for the additional training of poll workers, who have only been trained for BSKE, in preparation for the election of delegates.

“Hopefully, ‘pag naipasa ‘yung panukalang batas na magpapatawag ng constitutional convention, nakalagay doon yung mga qualification ng mga delegates, sana po may kasama na ring budget base sa aming isinumite sa ating Kongreso,” he said.

Proponents say a constitutional convention is less prone to abuse than a constituent assembly composed of chosen lawmakers, but it is more expensive to create. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) estimated its costs at P28 billion, though it can be reduced to P331 million if done simultaneously with another election.

Lawmakers who voted against the resolution have questioned the timing of holding a costly constitutional convention while the country is still grappling with urgent economic issues such as elevated inflation.

The measure is expected to face an uphill battle in the Upper House as some senators have opposed charter change.

(MM | With reports from JC Cosico, News5)

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