(UPDATE) The Senate has approved on third and final reading a bill that provides for P11.3 billion in supplemental budget to automate the 2010 national elections.

Voting 9-4 with no abstention, the Senate approved the measure Thursday dawn.

Senators Francis ?Chiz? Escudero, Benigno ?Noynoy? Aquino III, Jose ?Jinggoy? Estrada, and Jamby Madrigal voted against the bill while Senators Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., and Ramon Revilla Jr. cast a yes vote.

The approved bill contained a provision that would guarantee ?transparency and accuracy in the selection of the relevant technology of the voting machines to be used for the May 10, 2010 automated and local elections.?

Before this, the chamber converted itself into a Committee of the Whole to tackle the measure.

Angara, chairman of the committee on finance, presided over the hearing, which lasted for about five hours.

After the hearing, the Senate immediately resumed its proceedings in the plenary to approve the bill.

In his sponsorship speech on the floor, Angara expressed optimism that the country would be able to conduct full automation of the local and national elections next year.

?I believe this is imperative in order to respond to the crying need of our people?credibility of elections and legitimacy of leadership,? Angara said.

The House of Representatives had passed the bill on third and final reading on Monday night.