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Residents in Sultan Kudarat look for their names from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) list of voters for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite at the Simuay Junction Crossing Elementary School,  January 21, 2019. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File



Article (news)

Residents in Sultan Kudarat 


Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772014810554177072587717420190121-cotabato-plebiscite-JC-7283 (1).webp" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Residents in Sultan Kudarat look for their names from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) list of voters for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite at the Simuay Junction Crossing Elementary School, January 21, 2019. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia said they want an additional standby fund of P100 million for the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections, while speaking at a House Committee on Appropriations meeting on Wednesday.</div>Garcia told lawmakers they have enough to finance the polls in the meantime, with around P3.02 billion available for use.But in stressing the need for a standby fund, Garcia also cited problems in paying those involved in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections.&quot;Mas maganda na po na ‘yun ang hiningi namin. Alam po natin mayroon tayong problema lalo na po sa pananalapi… Baka po kasi hindi sapat ‘yung nasa parliamento o nasa Bangsamoro kaya po tayo nakiusap din dito sa Kongreso na mayroon din. Puwede naman po hindi naman ma-tap ‘yun hanggat hindi namin po namin hinihingi at ginagamit ‘yun,” Garcia told reporters.The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the Comelec could tap funding from prior years, citing approximately P14.9 billion left from 2025 for the national and local elections.However, Garcia later confirmed this entire amount is already obligated, and using the fund for other purposes would be tantamount to malversation.The DBM said using savings from prior years is another option, and they will look into other possible funding sources.According to Garcia, they will need the funding sometime between June and July, but this is also dependent on the final date for the elections.Suansing also appealed to the DBM to make the funding available “as soon as possible” after noticing alleged delays in the past.“The request lang to DBM– please make sure to make it available as soon as possible. Paminsan mayroon lang lag in terms of releasing funding from savings. Nagkakaroon lang ng medyong time lag,” Suansing said.<div> </div><div>TWO BALLOTS FOR BARMM POLLS?</div>Garcia also talked about the possibility of using two ballots following changes made by the Bangsamoro Parliament.“May mga binago pa sila na makakaapekto sa conduct ng eleksiyon ng Comelec. Ano &#x27;yung mga binago nila? &#x27;Yung mga na-accredit namin na political parties binalewala po lahat,” Garcia said during the hearing.The Comelec chairperson also showed an example of the long ballot, which would include the names of the sectoral organizations.According to Garcia, the length of the ballots may cause issues for the machines.&quot;Ganito po &#x27;yung balota -- ang haba.... Ang machines natin ng pagbilang ay hindi siguro kakayanin din. Palagay namin titigil ang mga machines sa Bangsamoro,” Garcia said while holding the sample ballot.Garcia later told the media it would be better to use two ballots instead. “Iniisip ho namin na baka po abutin ng mahigit isang metro ang isang balota. At the same time baka po may pangalawang balota para paghiwalayin ang boto para sa parliamentary district at para sa political party at ‘yung isang balota naman na mahaba ay para sa sectoral organization… Mukha pong magiging dalawa ang balota na mabibigay natin sa bawat isang botante diyan sa Bangsamoro. Mas maganda na po ‘yun para hindi malito kaysa naman ho magkalituhan,” Garcia said.<div> </div><div>BARMM ELECTIONS THIS YEAR ‘AT ALL COSTS’</div>Garcia added that they have to conduct the polls this year “at all costs” especially as 2027 is a preparatory year for the national and local elections.“At all costs, we have to conduct the election this year. Hindi na po namin kaya by next year, your honors, Madam Chair, because preparatory national and local elections na po natin. At during the hearing din po sa ating electoral reforms, sinabi po natin na hindi magandang isabay din sa 2028 national and local elections ang Bangsamoro parliamentary election because we would like the people of the Bangsamoro to focus on their representation,” Garcia said.House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms Chairperson Zia Alonto Adiong also emphasized the importance of pushing through with the elections.“Dalawang beses na na-reschedule, na-reset ‘yung election. So hindi na puwedeng paantayin pa natin ang ating mga kababayan sa BARMM na hindi makaboto,” Adiong told the media. During the meeting, the House Committee on Appropriations approved the House bill on the date for the first regular parliamentary BARMM elections.This was following the approval of a motion for some amendments meant to boost flexibility in funding.Under House Bill 7236 filed by Adiong and Lanao Del Sur 2nd district Yasser Alonto Balindong, the first regular election for the Bangsamoro Government would be held on September 28, 2026.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia said they want an additional standby fund of P100 million for the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections, while speaking at a House Committee on Appropriations meeting on Wednesday.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia said they want an additional standby fund of P100 million for the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections, while speaking at a House Committee on Appropriations meeting on Wednesday.

Comelec chair wants additional P100M standby fund for BARMM elections

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Comelec chair wants additional P100M standby fund for BARMM elections

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 25, 2026 06:53 PM PHT

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BARMM

Elections

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