Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman Voltaire F. Domingo / Senate PRIB file photo
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Wednesday that it respected the “fiscal autonomy” granted by the Constitution to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on how it will use the extra P12 billion funds which the Congress allocated.
According to Budget Secretary Mina Pangandaman, this was in response to concerns that the funds will be used to finance the proposed Charter change through the people’s initiative.
“The Constitution grants fiscal autonomy to the Comelec and declares that its approved annual appropriations shall be automatically and regularly released,” Pangandaman said in a media interview.
The official said that the P12 billion funds may be used for other various activities of the Comelec, such as preparation for elections, overseas absentee voting, continuing registrations, among others.
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“An additional P12 billion was allocated by Congress to the COMELEC. This is lodged under the regular operations line item of the agency. It is not for the purpose of Charter change but may be used for various activities of the Comelec such as the preparation of national and local elections, overseas absentee voting, continuing registration, recall, special elections, referenda, and other initiatives. It is not intended specifically or solely to fund the proposed charter change,” she continued.
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“It is the bicam committee – the Senate and the House – that added the amount upon the request of Comelec. They have the discretion to use the said amount for a plebiscite if the government decides to pursue any change, or kung matutuloy ‘yung people’s initiative,” she added.
(“It is the bicam committee – the Senate and the House – that added the amount upon the request of Comelec. They have the discretion to use the said amount for a plebiscite if the government decides to pursue any change, or if the people’s initiative will push through.)