Reenacted budget? Not a ‘big trouble’ for Comelec, says Pimentel

MANILA, Philippines — A reenacted budget will not be a “big trouble” for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the upcoming May polls, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said on Thursday.

“Did you know that the budget of the Comelec in 2018 for elections is even larger than its budget in 2019 for elections?” Pimentel told reporters after the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the automated election system.

“So kung reenacted (If the budget is reenacted) and that same sum is deemed available for elections, then pasok pa rin (it would still cover the amount) so, I don’t think a reenacted budget will be big trouble for the Comelec,” he added.

READ: ‘Sick and tired’ of pork talk, Sotto moves for reenacted budget 

Earlier, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said that if the budget is reenacted, the poll body cannot pay the honoraria for election workers, which include teachers who will render services during the midterm elections.

READ: Comelec: No honoraria for teachers on poll duty if 2019 budget is reenacted  

However, Pimentel said the Comelec can realign their budget as they see fit.

“I think the Comelec chairman and the en banc are both empowered to fill up the details,” the senator said.

“The money will be there. It’s more than enough,” he added. /ee