Capitol doubts Comelec donation

The Cebu provincial government may not be able to cough up funds to help the Commission on Elections bankroll the Oct. 28 barangay elections even as some barangays in the cities of Mandaue and Talisay already contributed to the poll body’s kitty.

Earlier, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama announced that the city government will shoulder the subsidy required of the city’s 80 barangays under the Comelec’s resolution.

The amount for this, totaling P16 million, was included in City Hall’s proposed supplemental budget. Gov. Hilario Davide III said they should first consider the Capitol’s financial standing.

He said the Commission on Audit (COA) might find the expenditure inappropriate.

“I haven’t received a request from Comelec. We’ll see our finances if it can handle because the province is a bit tight on its budget,” he said.

Davide said the Comelec should have ensured they have sufficient funds for the staging of the barangay elections.

“My position is that, why will the barangays spend for their own elections? It should be Comelec. However, they said they lack the budget. Next time, their budget should be sufficient for this electoral exercise. It’s a sad plight that Comelec will impose on barangays to give the amount then it’s a criminal offense if they don’t comply with the funds,” he added.

The financial assistance that the Comelec is asking from local government units are meant for the allowances of the Board of Election Tellers (BET), said Comelec Regional Director Temie Lambino.

Lambino stressed that with or without the subsidy, the barangay elections will push through because the poll body has enough funds to pay for election paraphernalia, forms, transport of equipment and payment for election officers.

“What we only need is the additional subsidy for expenses for the Board of Election Tellers,” Lambino said. Barangay councils that fail to provide the funds will be liable for an election offense under Section 51 of the Omnibus Election Code. /Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos And Correspondents Gabriel C. Bonjoc, Peter L. Romanillos And Jose Santino S. Bunachita