Press Release - Chiz: P12-B set aside for PI plebiscite should be repurposed

With the "politician's initiative" killed by a presidential order, the P12-billion fund in the Commission on Election's (Comelec) 2024 budget earmarked for a plebiscite should now be used for other purposes, Sen. Chiz Escudero said.

At the hearing of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People's Participation chaired by Sen. Imee Marcos on Tuesday (Jan. 30), Escudero disclosed the fund was a last-minute addition to the 2024 General Appropriations Act--a fact that was also confirmed by Comelec Chairman George Garcia during the proceeding.

"It was neither in the President's proposed budget nor in the Comelec's original submission," Escudero said, adding that the fund was put there waiting for the about to be launched people's initiative (PI) to succeed, "the budgetary version of putting the cart before the horse."

"But now that the horse is dead; there is no more use for the cart," Escudero stressed. "Ang importante dapat 'no touch' na 'yang pondo na 'yan. Kasi kung nandiyan pa 'yan, baka bumangon pa sa libingan itong pekeng initiative."

The Bicolano senator then suggested that the Comelec revisit its budget under the Line Item "Conduct and supervision of elections, referenda, recall votes and plebiscites."

Originally under 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP), the funding for this particular line item was P2,229,617,000. It was eventually increased by P12 billion to P14,229,617,000.

"Now that the President has taken a position against the people's initiative, and you (Comelec) are reviewing your rules, this is also an opportune time to revisit the P14 billion in your budget, realign it for the purpose of what you really need for example on capital outlays and personnel services such as the creation of positions which is well within your power to do so," Escudero told Garcia.

The Comelec chair replied affirmatively and said the body will review the agency's budget and will provide a copy of the realigned appropriation to Marcos' committee.

He assured that the poll body, even before they voted en banc to suspend Comelec Resolution No. 10650 that covers the guidelines for the people's initiative, has already intended to revisit its budget for