Photo credit: COMELEC

In a recent statement, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) refuted claims that the extra P12 billion earmarked for 2024 is intended for Charter Change. According to Comelec Chair Atty. George Erwin Garcia, the crucial aspect is the return of the budget previously deducted.

Garcia clarified that when they initially proposed their 2024 budget to the Department of Budget and Management, it was reduced by 17.48 billion pesos. Despite repeated appeals in Congress, both in the House of Representatives and the Senate, the plea to reinstate the deducted funds remained unanswered.

The allocated P12 billion to the agency is slated for the preparation of the upcoming National and Local elections. Comelec emphasized that if a plebiscite related to the People's Initiative, aiming to amend the constitution, occurs, the cost could reach 13 billion pesos. This estimation considers the inclusion of Overseas Filipino Voters in the voting process.

Currently, Comelec said its primary focus is on the resumption of voter registration, set to begin on February 12, 2024.