MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang will ask Congress to pass a supplemental budget close to P12 billion for the automation of next year’s national elections, allaying fears it preferred Charter change to the vote.

“That’s among the possible strategies,” Secretary Cerge Remonde told reporters yesterday when asked if the Executive Branch would ask for a supplemental budget.

He said that the Department of Budget and Management was expected to appropriate a budget for the automated elections in 2010.

“Electoral reforms is one of the key programs of President Macapagal-Arroyo, although that would include appropriating a budget for that. While it has not been discussed, I’m sure that will be dealt with appropriately,” he said.

Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya said his department has asked the House of Representatives to pass an P11.9-billion supplemental budget for computerized elections.

“The supplemental bill has been drafted,” he said in a text message, adding that the request has been forwarded to the House committee on appropriations.

The measure will be certified as urgent by President Macapagal-Arroyo, Secretary Gabriel Claudio said. Congress is on recess and won’t be resuming sessions until the third week of the month.

“There will be elections in 2010,” Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto said in a phone interview. “Whatever they say that she’s extending her term, she has never mentioned it to me.”

Chair Jose Melo of the Commission on Elections had disclosed that it was working on an P8-billion supplemental appropriation, and has relayed to Malacañang the need for such a budget.

The deadline for the supplemental budget should be March this year.

The elections body had been allotted some P2.6 billion in the 2009 national budget to prepare for next year’s elections.

Sen. Richard Gordon has challenged President Macapagal-Arroyo to ask Congress to fund the computerization to disprove rumors that she was pursuing Charter change to prolong her stay in power beyond June 30, 2010.