DBM approves P2.7-billion budget for BARMM polls —Comelec

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved a P2.7-billion budget for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the conduct of the 2025 Bangsamoro elections. 

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the additional funding will be allocated to the proposed P2,000 increase in the honoraria of teachers who will serve as electoral board members (ERBs), as well as the hiring of support staff. 

“Nakausap natin nung isang araw ang ating DBM Secretary at malugod niyang ipinagkaloob sa Comelec ang kinakailangan naming budget na gagamitin natin para sa Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections,” Garcia said. 

(We talked with the DBM Secretary, and she gave the greenlight for the budget we needed for the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections.)

“Yan ay bilang paghahanda na rin ng Comelec sa darating na Bangsamoro elections na nahiwalay na sa national and local elections at ito ay mangyayari na sa October 13,” he said. 

(This is part of the preparations of Comelec for the BARMM polls, which will be held separately from the national and local elections.)

Last month, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. signed into law a measure postponing the parliamentary elections in Bangsamoro from May to October 13, 2025. 

“Gusto namin na bigyan pa rin, ituloy pa rin ang itinaas namin na P2,000 sa ating mga electoral board members. Ibig sabihin, hindi tama… na yung P2,000 ay para lang sa NLE sa May 12. Kinakailangan yung Bangsamoro may dagdag na P2,000 across-the-board para sa ating maglilingkod na ERB,” said Garcia. 

(We want to implement the additional P2,000 honoraria for teachers in the Bangsamoro. This means it is incorrect that the P2,000 is only for the NLE on May 12. Those who will be serving as ERBs for the Bangsamoro elections will also receive additional P2,000 across the board.)

“Ninanais din ng Comelec na magdagdag ng support staff sa ating mga paaralan para makatulong sa mga guro sa paglilingkod sa araw ng halalan. Kung may dagdag na support staff, may dagdag na budget,” he added. 

(We also want to hire more support staff and that would entail additional budget.)

The DBM said the additional budget will be charged against the P10.784-billion unobligated funds of Comelec under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA). 

"It was agreed during the meeting between the COMELEC and the DBM that the funding requirements for the BARMM Elections will be charged against the abovementioned available allotment of the COMELEC," it added.

Courtesy call

Meanwhile, the poll chief said Maguindanao del Norte acting Governor Abdulraof Macacua, who was recently named the new BARMM chief, will pay a courtesy call on the Comelec on Wednesday, March 12. He said among the topics he wants to discuss during the meeting is the proposed re-apportionment of the seven Sulu parliamentary seats following a Supreme Court (SC) ruling excluding the province from the Bangsamoro Region. 

“Sana ma-express ng Comelec ang ating sentimyento na magkaroon ng aksyon kaagad para sa pitong seats allocated para sa Sulu dati. Ano ba talaga ang plano ng Bangsamoro para guided ang Comelec kung ano ang gagawin namin,” he said. 

(We hope to express our sentiments tht there should be immediate action on the proposed distribution of the Sulu parliamentary seats. What is the Bangsamoro's plans so that Comelec may be guided on what to do next.)

“Magpapa-open ba kami ng filing of certificates of candidacy?…Paano maapektuhan ng distribution o reapportionment ng pitong seats from Sulu?…Yan ang mga katanungan na hopefully   sa pagpunta ng butihing bagong chief minister ay magkaroon ng kasagutan sapagkat nakadepende ang lahat ng kilos ng Comelec dyan sa kasagutan sa ating katanungan,” he added. 

(We also want to know if we should reopen the filing of COCs and what will happen to those affected by the reapportionment? These are the questions we hope to be answered by his visit. Our actions and preparations for the BARMM polls depend on that.)

Over the weekend, Malacañang confirmed that Macacua would replace Ahod Ebrahim as Interim Chief Minister. The Palace did not provide a specific reason for this change, but in a separate statement, the Bangsamoro Government also confirmed Macacua's appointment, and thanked Ebrahim for his leadership.

"With this development, outgoing Chief Minister Ebrahim is able to focus on the preparations for the first parliamentary elections this October, both as Chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and President of the organization's political party," it said.

"We assure the people of a smooth leadership change, one that will not disrupt the operations of the Bangsamoro Government, nor hinder our commitment to continued delivery of services and programs," it added.

The government also welcomed the new appointees to the Parliament, named Monday. — BM, GMA Integrated News