Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Daniza Fernandez

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) would need an additional P3-billion budget for each year the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls would be postponed, its chairman George Garcia said on Tuesday.The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) are set on Nov. 2 but there are proposals seeking to delay the polls.Garcia explained that the commission would need the additional budget to cover the anticipated number of voter registrants.“Kung tayo po ay hindi matutuloy sa Nov. 2, malamang-lamang kami po ay mag-resume ng registration of voters ngayong darating na September,” he said, noting that it would end in September next year.“So, ine-expect natin na ‘yung haba ng panahon na ‘yan, na isang taon halos, ay madami pong botante magpapa-rehistro and therefore, kakailanganin ng dagdag na budget,” Garcia said.Currently, the resumption of voter registration is scheduled for February next year.The Comelec’s budget for this year’s BSKE is P19 billion. It has already used P8 billion for ballot printing, election paraphernalia, and overtime pay of personnel involved in the BSKE preparation.Of the remaining P11 billion, P9 billion is allocated for electoral board members and P1 billion each for training and for deployment of election paraphernalia.Garcia said some paraphernalia, including ballots, may still be used if the polls would be postponed. But there are items, such as indelible inks and pens, that may easily expire.The Comelec is hoping that there would be a decision on the proposals to delay the BSKE by September.<div>SERVICE INCENTIVE LEAVES</div>Meanwhile, the commission said the 10 service incentive leaves of teachers who will serve during election day will no longer have an expiry.Previously, teachers must use it within the year it was given to them.“Pwede po nilang gamitin ‘yan hanggang kung kailan nila gustong gamitin hanggang sa makapag-retire po sila,” Garcia said.The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) welcomed Comelec’s decision.“Hindi tayo papayag na buwis-buhay na ang serbisyo, bubuwisan at babaratin pa ang kompensasyon at benepisyo. Tagumpay ito ng ating sama-samang pagkilos at paninindigan para sa ating karapatan at kagalingan,&quot; ACT chairperson Ruby Bernardo stated.The group also renewed its call for a higher and tax-exempt poll service honoraria of at least P15,000 and overtime pay should election work hours be extended, among others.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) would need an additional P3-billion budget for each year the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls would be postponed, its chairman George Garcia said on Tuesday.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) would need an additional P3-billion budget for each year the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls would be postponed, its chairman George Garcia said on Tuesday.

Comelec: At least P3-B more needed if village, SK polls reset

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Comelec: At least P3-B more needed if village, SK polls reset

Daniza Fernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 11, 2026 07:38 PM PHT

Read More:

Commission on Elections

George Garcia

Barangay and SK Elections

BSKE

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