Comelec breaks ground for P8-B new Pasay office

Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia —Inquirer photo/Niño Jesus Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) hopes to transfer to its new headquarters in Pasay City in 2028, after having no permanent home for 84 years.

The poll body is currently renting various buildings, including several floors of the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila.

Some 200 officials and employees braved the downpour caused by Tropical Storm “Enteng”on Monday to witness the groundbreaking ceremony for the new nine-story Comelec central office on a three-hectare land in Central Business Park I-A, a reclamation project, across the Baclaran Church.

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The lot was bought for P1 billion in 2012 during the time of former Comelec chair Sixto Brillantes Jr.

“For 84 years, we’ve been waiting for this opportunity that we can now build our own building. The construction will start today and we will strive to finish it in just three to four years,” Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia said.

The project has a P8.225 billion budget, which covers the construction of the foundation and the nine-story building.

But Garcia said they would need more funding to finish the building. “Our budget was approved as early as 2019, so it is only fitting that we make adjustments since the original computation is no longer accurate,” he added.

It was in September 2022 when the Comelec defended the project. —Dexter Cabalza