Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

The Palacio Del Gobernador headquarters to the Commission on Elections in Intramuros Manila on November 11, 2021. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

PH ELECTION

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178547519356120211111-comelec-building-JC-013721310.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Palacio Del Gobernador headquarters to the Commission on Elections in Intramuros Manila on November 11, 2021<em>. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) operations chief urged the poll body to petition President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for P191.89 million from the national Contingent Fund for the conduct of special election in Cavite.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/7/29/comelec-warns-cavite-barmm-poll-bets-against-buying-votes-1259">Comelec warns Cavite, BARMM poll bets against buying votes</a></div><p>In a memorandum dated June 9, Deputy Executive Director for Operations Rafael Olaño told Chairman George Garcia that Comelec&#x27;s regular budget cannot absorb the cost of filling the seat left vacant by expelled Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga without disrupting other upcoming polls.</p><p>It noted that although Republic Act 12314 allocates P11.19 million for special elections, the estimated cost to conduct the vote in Dasmariñas City is P191.89 million.</p><p>Olaño said pulling from internal line items is no longer viable because 2026 has become a &quot;Super Election Year,&quot; since the poll body is also preparing for the rescheduled BARMM Parliamentary Elections on Sept. 14, and the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Nov. 2.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/3/why-kiko-barzaga-was-expelled-from-the-house-of-representatives-according-to-garin-0853">Why Kiko Barzaga was expelled from the House of Representatives, according to Garin</a></div><p>&quot;Any adjustment from the budget of the Comelec will adversely affect the budgetary requirements of the other pending elections, which have wider scopes than the Special Election at hand,&quot; Olaño wrote in the memorandum.</p><p>He recommended drawing from the P13-billion Contingent Fund under the 2026 General Appropriations Act and invoking Section 10 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881, which permits deficiency funding for elections via special government funds.</p><p>The special polls on Aug. 29 was set after Barzaga&#x27;s expulsion on June 2 for disorderly behavior and conduct unbecoming of a member of Congress.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/7/17/kiko-barzaga-s-mom-files-coc-for-cavite-special-polls-to-replace-son-1928">Kiko Barzaga’s mom files COC to replace son in lower House</a></div><p>Incumbent Dasmariñas, Cavite Mayor Jennifer Barzaga earlier filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) to replace her son in the lower House.</p><p>Four other aspirants also filed their COCs for the special polls: Raul Rex Del Rosario Mangubat, Marvin Opamin Dupal-ag, Leysander Ordenes, and Jacinto Bautista Frani Jr.</p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x3rsUvNFRzA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0MnamSsRgC8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x3rsUvNFRzA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The official said Comelec's regular budget cannot absorb the cost of filling the seat left vacant by expelled Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga without disrupting other upcoming polls.</p>

The official said Comelec's regular budget cannot absorb the cost of filling the seat left vacant by expelled Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga without disrupting other upcoming polls.

Comelec exec urges P191.8M fund request for Cavite special polls

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Comelec exec urges P191.8M fund request for Cavite special polls

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 31, 2026 01:28 PM PHT

Read More:

Comelec

Cavite

Kiko Barzaga

special election

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.