1 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:42,320 Committee Secretary: And Deputy Executive Director Attorney Helen G. Aguila-Flores, and other members and officers of the Commission on Elections, sir. Thank you. 2 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:48,670 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Thank you. So, wala nang... Si Senator Sotto pa, isang opening statement. 3 00:06:48,670 --> 00:06:59,980 Senator Vicente C. Sotto III: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Actually, it's not an opening statement, but let me just place on record. First, I am in full support of the budget 4 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:29,980 Senator Vicente C. Sotto III: of the Comelec, with our Chairman Garcia. And I can never say no to the son of my mentor, Commissioner Ernest Maceda. So I just have, if you don't mind, I just want to put two questions after your presentation of the budget, but I might not be here to listen to it. There's another event I have to be there. I just wanted to find out from you later on if you 5 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:59,980 Senator Vicente C. Sotto III: can brief our chairman: what will you do if the Supreme Court issues a TRO tomorrow on the bill of the BSKE? And then the next question is: how much have we spent, and how much will be wasted if the postponement pushes through, which is right now already pushing through? That's all. So again, 6 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:05,800 Senator Vicente C. Sotto III: my full support to the Comelec. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 7 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:12,600 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Hindi mo nahintay 'yung sagot? Okay, so, yeah, please. 8 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:29,980 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Maraming salamat po, Mr. Chair, your honors. Una po muna, siyempre po napakahirap sa kalagayan ni Comelec sapagkat naghanda naman talaga kami sa ating pong barangay at SK elections. Subalit, kinikilala po natin ang kapangyarihan ng Kongreso, at sinabi rin po ng Supreme Court 'yan sa pinaka-latest case na 9 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:33,160 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: 2025, ang sabi po niya, 10 00:08:33,680 --> 00:08:35,320 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ang kapangyarihan 11 00:08:35,320 --> 00:08:36,520 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: na mag-fix ng term 12 00:08:36,520 --> 00:08:38,660 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ay nasa Kongreso lamang. 13 00:08:38,840 --> 00:08:41,120 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Sole and only authority belongs 14 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:43,080 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: to Congress. Therefore, ang ginawa 15 00:08:43,080 --> 00:08:45,180 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: po noong 2025, fixing the term po yan 16 00:08:45,180 --> 00:08:47,440 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: from 3 years to 4 years. 17 00:08:47,520 --> 00:08:49,460 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Ngayon po, from 4 years to 5 years. 18 00:08:49,540 --> 00:08:50,720 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: At sabi pa po ng Supreme Court, 19 00:08:51,100 --> 00:08:53,180 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: voting 852, na yun daw 20 00:08:53,180 --> 00:08:55,140 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: po kasing pag-postpone ng 21 00:08:55,140 --> 00:08:57,000 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: baragay ng SK elections 22 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,340 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ay incidenta lamang sa pag-fix 23 00:08:59,340 --> 00:09:01,520 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ng termino. Talagang kakailanganin 24 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:03,300 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: dahil mayroon daw po transition period 25 00:09:03,300 --> 00:09:05,200 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: na tinatawag. At dahil po dyan, 26 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:07,120 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: kailangan talaga na magkaroon 27 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:08,660 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ng period para lang 28 00:09:08,660 --> 00:09:11,240 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: maihanda yung pag-fix 29 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:13,320 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ng termino yan from 4 years to 5 years. 30 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:14,980 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Wala pong pinagkaibahalo sa issue 31 00:09:14,980 --> 00:09:17,240 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ang 2025 at yung issue 32 00:09:17,240 --> 00:09:19,040 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: po sa kasalukuyan. At 33 00:09:19,040 --> 00:09:21,120 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: syempre po, maaaring magbago ang 34 00:09:21,120 --> 00:09:23,580 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Korte Suprema sa voting niya na 852. 35 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:25,080 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Pero sa part po ni 36 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:27,140 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Comele, pinahinto na po namin 37 00:09:27,140 --> 00:09:29,200 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: kaagad ang lahat ng aktibidad 38 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:30,600 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: in relation to the 39 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:33,240 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: 2026 barangay ng SK 40 00:09:33,240 --> 00:09:35,040 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: election ng November 2 41 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:37,140 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: bilang pagkilala na may 42 00:09:37,140 --> 00:09:39,140 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: bago na po tayong batas. Binerify 43 00:09:39,140 --> 00:09:41,020 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: po namin sa official gazette na published 44 00:09:41,020 --> 00:09:43,360 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: po kaagad nung mismong araw na pinirmahan 45 00:09:43,360 --> 00:09:45,020 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ng ating kagalanggalang na Pangulo 46 00:09:45,020 --> 00:09:47,280 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: and therefore, pinahinto po namin ang lahat 47 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:48,940 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: na kung meron pa kami mga preparation, 48 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:51,140 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: lalong-lalo na po dapat ngayong araw 49 00:09:51,140 --> 00:09:53,140 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: na to ay filing ng certificates 50 00:09:53,140 --> 00:09:55,460 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: of candidacy hanggang October 5. 51 00:09:55,820 --> 00:09:56,920 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Dapat po. Ngayon, 52 00:09:57,360 --> 00:09:59,160 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: syempre po, pinaghahandaan namin paano 53 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:00,820 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: kung sakasakali merong 54 00:10:00,820 --> 00:10:02,900 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: restraining order o papahintuin ng Comelec. 55 00:10:03,280 --> 00:10:04,640 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Alam po natin na hindi po 56 00:10:04,640 --> 00:10:06,860 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: kambika agad din, Mr. Chair, 57 00:10:07,180 --> 00:10:08,940 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: yung honors, na kinabukasan 58 00:10:08,940 --> 00:10:10,780 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: o Wednesday ay mag-i-issue kaagad ng 59 00:10:10,780 --> 00:10:13,120 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: resolution na filing tayo ng candidacy. 60 00:10:13,580 --> 00:10:14,920 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Meron po talaga yung information 61 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:17,020 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: dissemination sa mga kababayan natin 62 00:10:17,020 --> 00:10:18,920 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: sa buong bansa. And therefore, baka po 63 00:10:18,920 --> 00:10:20,860 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: abutin yun mga hanggang dalawang linggo. 64 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:22,980 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Ngayon po, tinigil na rin po namin 65 00:10:22,980 --> 00:10:24,880 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: yung paghahanda tungkol po sa 66 00:10:24,880 --> 00:10:27,140 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ating pong, dapat po kami ngayon 67 00:10:27,140 --> 00:10:29,140 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ay nag-de-deploy na ng mga 68 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:31,100 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: kagamitan. Ang lahat po ng mga 69 00:10:31,100 --> 00:10:33,060 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: kagamitan natin, usually ginagawa natin 70 00:10:33,060 --> 00:10:34,400 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ay first week 71 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:36,960 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ng isang buwan bago ang halalan. 72 00:10:37,300 --> 00:10:39,040 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Lalo na po sa mga malalayang lugar tulad 73 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:41,160 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ng Mindanao at Visayas. 74 00:10:42,660 --> 00:10:43,720 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Pinatuloy po namin 75 00:10:43,720 --> 00:10:45,320 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: yung pag-iimprenta ng mga 76 00:10:45,320 --> 00:10:47,240 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: listahan sa labas ng presinto, 77 00:10:47,340 --> 00:10:49,080 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: sa loob ng presinto, para lang po 78 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:51,060 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: matapos na lahat yun. Pero yung po 79 00:10:51,060 --> 00:10:53,080 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: mga balota ay nakumpleto na po namin 80 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:55,040 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: pero yun po ay pinapa-warehouse na 81 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:57,000 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: natin sa kasalukuyan. Yung po 82 00:10:57,000 --> 00:10:59,080 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: mga gamit, Mr. Chair, your honors, 83 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:01,220 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: katulad ng Indelible Inc., alam po 84 00:11:01,220 --> 00:11:03,120 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: namin, one year lang ang warranty period 85 00:11:03,120 --> 00:11:05,120 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: niyan. At may posibilidad na matuyo 86 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:07,360 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: po halimbawa yung ating Indelible Inc. 87 00:11:07,420 --> 00:11:08,860 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Nakipag-usap po kami sa provider, 88 00:11:09,380 --> 00:11:10,640 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: sabi namin sa kanila, we will 89 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:12,380 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: legally accept 90 00:11:12,380 --> 00:11:15,100 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: the delivery, baka pe pwedeng sa inyo munang 91 00:11:15,100 --> 00:11:17,220 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: warehouse. Total aircon po yung warehouse 92 00:11:17,220 --> 00:11:19,320 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: nyo, at dahil aircon yung warehouse nyo, 93 00:11:19,860 --> 00:11:21,140 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: baka pe pwedeng kung sakaling may 94 00:11:21,140 --> 00:11:23,100 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: masira, magkaproblema yung 95 00:11:23,100 --> 00:11:25,220 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: quality, ay papalitan nila. Pumayag 96 00:11:25,220 --> 00:11:27,040 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: po sila sa lahat sa ganoon. Yung po 97 00:11:27,040 --> 00:11:28,900 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: mga ball pen, one year lang din po 98 00:11:29,160 --> 00:11:31,300 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ang period niyan, kasama 99 00:11:31,300 --> 00:11:32,940 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: na rin po ang mga time print takers, 100 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:35,080 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: kung kaya nakiusap kami, baka pe pwedeng 101 00:11:35,080 --> 00:11:37,240 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: two years ang ating po warranty 102 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:38,780 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: period para kung sakasakali 103 00:11:38,780 --> 00:11:41,300 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: na ma-reset nga po tayo, dire-diretsyo na, 104 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:43,200 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: at least magagamit pa rin natin yung mga 105 00:11:43,200 --> 00:11:45,060 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: gamit po na yan, at papalitan pa rin po 106 00:11:45,060 --> 00:11:47,200 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: nila. So, can the Comelec hold the 107 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:48,160 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: election at this point? 108 00:11:49,440 --> 00:11:51,260 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Mr. Chair, your honors, kasi po sigurado 109 00:11:51,260 --> 00:11:52,460 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: yung gagamitin po nating 110 00:11:52,460 --> 00:11:55,200 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: sagot dyan, ay maaaring 111 00:11:55,200 --> 00:11:57,220 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: gamitin sa amin sa Supreme Court, and that may be 112 00:11:57,220 --> 00:11:59,140 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: construed by the Honorable Supreme 113 00:11:59,160 --> 00:12:01,160 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Court as pre-empting their 114 00:12:01,160 --> 00:12:03,200 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: action by tomorrow, simply because 115 00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:05,240 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: again, tama po kayo na, i-file kanina, 116 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:07,420 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: and surely it will be discussed 117 00:12:07,420 --> 00:12:09,320 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: by tomorrow by the 118 00:12:09,320 --> 00:12:11,240 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Supreme Court. Mukha pong hindi 119 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:12,880 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: namin kaya ang November to Mr. Chair, 120 00:12:13,340 --> 00:12:15,200 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: however, the Comelec always 121 00:12:15,200 --> 00:12:17,240 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: have powers under 122 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:19,460 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: the omnibus election code, and what are the powers 123 00:12:19,460 --> 00:12:21,500 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: na nasa amin? Yung pong 124 00:12:21,500 --> 00:12:23,000 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: pwede po kami mag-declare 125 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:25,100 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ng postponement of the election, on a 126 00:12:25,100 --> 00:12:27,040 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: limited sense. 127 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:28,900 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Binigyan po kami ng 128 00:12:28,900 --> 00:12:30,560 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Kongreso ng delegated authority 129 00:12:30,560 --> 00:12:32,780 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: to postpone the election in case of 130 00:12:32,780 --> 00:12:34,440 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: terrorism, violence, 131 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:36,860 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: in case of force 132 00:12:36,860 --> 00:12:38,920 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: majeure, yung pong force majeure, yung 133 00:12:38,920 --> 00:12:40,920 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: pong hindi natin inaasaan. Kung sakasakaling 134 00:12:40,920 --> 00:12:43,020 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: may SC decision, nabanggit ko na rin 135 00:12:43,020 --> 00:12:44,780 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: po dati ito sa SC nung magkaroon kami 136 00:12:44,780 --> 00:12:46,700 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ng oral argument, sabi ko po, 137 00:12:47,140 --> 00:12:48,980 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: any of your decision or your order may 138 00:12:48,980 --> 00:12:50,920 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: be construed, interpreted by 139 00:12:50,920 --> 00:12:53,000 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Comelec as a force majeure, and therefore 140 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:54,800 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: we can extend the 141 00:12:54,800 --> 00:12:56,900 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: election within at least 30 days 142 00:12:56,900 --> 00:12:58,780 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: after the secession of that 143 00:12:58,900 --> 00:13:00,740 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: force majeure. So pwede naman po siguro 144 00:13:00,740 --> 00:13:02,300 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: namin gamitin yun, although 145 00:13:02,300 --> 00:13:04,680 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: somebody will question definitely, but 146 00:13:04,680 --> 00:13:06,700 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ang importante po, whatever 147 00:13:06,700 --> 00:13:08,680 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: the Supreme Court will release by 148 00:13:08,680 --> 00:13:10,880 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: tomorrow, the Comelec naman po is prepared 149 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:12,400 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: just in case. 150 00:13:12,860 --> 00:13:14,860 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Come what may, you're budget ready, di ba? 151 00:13:15,100 --> 00:13:16,840 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Yes po. In fact po, nakagasos 152 00:13:16,840 --> 00:13:18,600 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: na po kami, Mr. Chair, your honors, 153 00:13:18,740 --> 00:13:20,680 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ng 8 billion na po, 154 00:13:20,780 --> 00:13:22,780 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Mr. Chair, kasi po yung isa po ay 155 00:13:22,780 --> 00:13:24,620 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: obligated at saka, so 156 00:13:24,620 --> 00:13:26,800 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: 8 billion na po, and yung 157 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:28,780 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: pong 10.9 billion, 158 00:13:28,900 --> 00:13:30,500 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: na natitira sa amin, 159 00:13:31,020 --> 00:13:32,840 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: per provision po nung ating bagong 160 00:13:32,840 --> 00:13:34,680 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: batas, any unexpended balance 161 00:13:34,680 --> 00:13:36,840 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: of the Barangay and SK election shall 162 00:13:36,840 --> 00:13:38,520 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: be a continuing appropriation 163 00:13:38,520 --> 00:13:40,880 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: on the part of the Comelec, and can be 164 00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:42,720 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: and should be used by Comelec 165 00:13:42,720 --> 00:13:44,820 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: for the preparation for the 166 00:13:44,820 --> 00:13:46,700 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: national and local election of 2028. 167 00:13:47,300 --> 00:13:48,800 Senator Panfilo Lacson: And you have the authority under the 168 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:50,160 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Constitution to realign. 169 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:51,060 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Yes po, Mr. Chair. 170 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:52,360 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Being a constitutional body, di ba? 171 00:13:52,360 --> 00:13:52,820 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Yes po, Mr. 172 00:13:52,820 --> 00:13:54,980 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: In fact po, Mr. Chair, yung pong nilagay 173 00:13:54,980 --> 00:13:56,560 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: na provision, welcome na welcome po, 174 00:13:56,580 --> 00:13:58,880 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: nagpapasalamat po kami doon sa provision na yun, 175 00:13:58,900 --> 00:14:01,120 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ng batas, kasi po at least 176 00:14:01,120 --> 00:14:02,900 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: although we have that authority to 177 00:14:02,900 --> 00:14:04,820 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: realign, at least in order to 178 00:14:04,820 --> 00:14:07,000 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ensure transparency, maliwanag po 179 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:08,360 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: na kung sakali pong 180 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:10,920 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ganap na ito na mapatupad 181 00:14:10,920 --> 00:14:13,100 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: yung batas na to, yung pong 11 billion 182 00:14:13,100 --> 00:14:14,880 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: more or less, yung po kasi yung 183 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:16,860 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: aming papakiusap mamaya, tinanggalan po 184 00:14:16,860 --> 00:14:18,920 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: kasi kami, Mr. Chair, ng 15 185 00:14:18,920 --> 00:14:20,800 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: billion plus 723 186 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:22,500 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: billion po, ang natanggal 187 00:14:22,500 --> 00:14:24,840 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: kay Comelec. So, at least po 188 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:26,740 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: yung 11 billion more or less can be used by 189 00:14:26,740 --> 00:14:28,700 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Comelec in order to 190 00:14:28,700 --> 00:14:30,720 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ensure that the election of 191 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:32,500 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: 2028 will not be compromised. 192 00:14:33,160 --> 00:14:34,920 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Ano pa ang pakikinabangan doon sa 193 00:14:34,920 --> 00:14:36,800 Senator Panfilo Lacson: ano pa pwedeng pakinabangan 194 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:38,380 Senator Panfilo Lacson: doon sa 8 billion na naggasta na? 195 00:14:39,100 --> 00:14:40,980 Senator Panfilo Lacson: O naka-locate na? 196 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:42,720 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Mr. Chair, 197 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:44,800 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: in all fairness po, nangyari na po 198 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:46,640 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: sa atin dati nung nag-reset tayo ng Barangay 199 00:14:46,640 --> 00:14:48,800 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: and SK, yung mga balota po, 71 200 00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:50,900 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: million po lahat yun for the regular voters. 201 00:14:51,040 --> 00:14:52,640 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: 71 million na po kasi ang 202 00:14:52,640 --> 00:14:54,720 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: votante natin. Yung pong balota para sa SK, 203 00:14:55,100 --> 00:14:56,820 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: 25 million. 204 00:14:57,500 --> 00:14:58,660 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: In all fairness naman po, 205 00:14:58,700 --> 00:15:00,000 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: at yung putal 206 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:03,700 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: talaga ay magagamit naman sa isang reset na barangay ng SK election. 207 00:15:04,180 --> 00:15:10,720 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: The Comelec End Bank will just issue a resolution saying na although November 2, 2026 ang nakaprint doon, 208 00:15:11,100 --> 00:15:12,500 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: pwede pa po namin gamitin lahat yun. 209 00:15:12,500 --> 00:15:19,580 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Yung po lahat ng mga gamit na na-procure na Comelec, pwede po natin magamit lang basta po ma-safekeep, ma-warehouse, nang maayos. 210 00:15:19,900 --> 00:15:25,220 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Yung po na-hire namin na mahigit 1,000 na casual employees at yung mga overtime, 211 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:29,800 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: yun naman po ay na-hire at nag-overtime kami to ensure na meron tayong gamit 212 00:15:29,800 --> 00:15:32,020 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: at meron tayong na-imprintan ng mga kagamitan. 213 00:15:32,160 --> 00:15:36,820 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: So, in all fairness po, doon sa baka may mamawala, masayang, wala naman po. 214 00:15:36,820 --> 00:15:41,220 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: But of course, when we reset an election, katulad ang ginagawa po natin lagi, 215 00:15:41,900 --> 00:15:48,680 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: we are going to reopen once again the registration of voters by second week of November this year po. 216 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:51,780 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: And it will last until June 30 next year. 217 00:15:52,220 --> 00:15:54,560 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: We are projecting additional 3 million voters. 218 00:15:55,020 --> 00:15:59,740 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Kung sakasakali po, pagdating po ng 2028, meron po tayong 74 million. 219 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:05,180 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Pagdating po ng Barangay NSK election na second week of November of 2028, 220 00:16:05,520 --> 00:16:11,240 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: sabihin na po natin may dagdag na 1 million kasi meron po magkikinsi-anyos na mga votante, na mga SK. 221 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:14,200 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: So, magkikinsi-anyos po sila, dagdag po sila doon. 222 00:16:14,560 --> 00:16:17,800 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: At yung mga nagkikinsi naman ngayon, pwede po maging 18 later. 223 00:16:18,980 --> 00:16:20,260 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: So, madadagdag po sa atin. 224 00:16:20,900 --> 00:16:25,800 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Pag po nag-reset tayo ng Barangay NSK, lagi pong hihingi kami ng dagdag na budget. 225 00:16:26,780 --> 00:16:29,780 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Kasi po, dagdag na votante, dagdag na president. 226 00:16:29,800 --> 00:16:33,700 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Dagdag na electoral board members, dagdag na election para Pernalia. 227 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:37,580 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Maraming salamat po. 228 00:16:38,180 --> 00:16:44,660 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Ang masasayang lang, yung talagang tapon, ito yung manpower utilization, di ba? 229 00:16:45,040 --> 00:16:46,640 Senator Panfilo Lacson: In terms of, for the preparation. 230 00:16:47,020 --> 00:16:47,900 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Yes po, Mr. Chair. 231 00:16:47,940 --> 00:16:49,940 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Like overtime pay, etc. 232 00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:55,360 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Yes po, pero yun po naman, yun naman po, Mr. Chair, ay nagamit namin yung mga overtime 233 00:16:55,360 --> 00:16:59,780 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: para lang po masigurado namin na piprint namin na maayos yung mga balot. 234 00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:04,600 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Masisigurado pong nakahanda lahat yung mga presinto natin, yung mga polling place natin. 235 00:17:04,900 --> 00:17:07,660 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: So, technically, hindi naman po, wala po, Mr. Chair. 236 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:10,380 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Thank you. So, let's listen to your presentation. 237 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:11,600 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Maraming salamat po, Mr. Chair. 238 00:17:11,600 --> 00:17:14,420 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Yun na yung question and answer. Pagkatapos ng presentation, submitted na. 239 00:17:15,220 --> 00:17:16,860 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Maraming salamat po, Mr. Chair, your honors. 240 00:17:17,120 --> 00:17:17,760 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Go ahead, please. 241 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:19,180 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Kung inyo pong mamarapatin. 242 00:17:19,180 --> 00:17:19,600 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Yes. 243 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:28,980 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Maraming salamat po, Mr. Chair. 244 00:17:28,980 --> 00:17:32,700 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: With your kind permission, nabigyan lang po ako ng konting maiksing-maiksing, 245 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:37,100 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: munting accomplishment po ng inyong commission election nitong nakaraang 2025. 246 00:17:37,260 --> 00:17:41,400 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Ang aming pong budget utilization for 2025 ay 97%. 247 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:46,460 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Sapagkat ang 2025 po ay national and local election, midterm elections po yan. 248 00:17:46,560 --> 00:17:50,080 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: So, halos talaga pong nagamit namin ang lahat ng ating pong budget. 249 00:17:50,500 --> 00:17:56,040 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: At dito po inalaan talaga, hindi lamang sa commission, kung hindi po yung pagkukondak natin, 250 00:17:56,040 --> 00:17:56,920 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ng halala. 251 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:58,960 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Ang 2025 po ay napakataas. 252 00:17:58,980 --> 00:18:00,980 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Ang voters turn out, 82.2%. 253 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:07,320 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Pinakamataas po yan sa kasaysayan ng midterm election sa ating midterm election. 254 00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:15,420 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: At dito pong 2025 din, ang inyong Comelec ay nahalal bilang chairperson ng Association of World Electoral Bodies. 255 00:18:16,060 --> 00:18:19,220 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: At the same time, Association of Asian Electoral Authorities. 256 00:18:20,040 --> 00:18:25,300 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Both at the same time, first time po na nangyari yan sa kasaysayan ng inyong dalawang electoral bodies. 257 00:18:25,300 --> 00:18:27,380 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Of course, madami po kami naisagawa. 258 00:18:27,380 --> 00:18:37,220 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Maliban sa national and local elections, na pinakamabilis po noong 2025 sapagkat nakapagproklamo po kami ng mayor sa gabi ng araw na eleksyon noong May 14. 259 00:18:37,620 --> 00:18:42,040 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Kinabukasan, nakapagproklamo po kami ng mga congressmen at gobernador. 260 00:18:42,360 --> 00:18:44,600 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Yung pong mga senador na proklamo namin in five days. 261 00:18:44,900 --> 00:18:47,060 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: At yung party list na proklamo po namin in seven days. 262 00:18:47,140 --> 00:18:49,920 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: The fastest in the history of Philippine election. 263 00:18:50,400 --> 00:18:56,720 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Ngayon po, recently po, ang aming kahit paanong munting accomplishment, ay yung pong Bangsamoro parliamentary election. 264 00:18:56,720 --> 00:18:57,340 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Kauna-una. 265 00:18:57,380 --> 00:18:58,660 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Sa ating kasaysayan. 266 00:18:59,040 --> 00:19:04,880 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Magbaga mat hindi po perfecto, ito po yung nagkaroon ng 84.34% voters turnout. 267 00:19:05,380 --> 00:19:05,900 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Highest. 268 00:19:06,300 --> 00:19:10,820 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: 84.34% po highest in the history of our country's election. 269 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:15,440 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Madami pong talagang bumoto ng mga kababayan natin. 270 00:19:15,600 --> 00:19:22,840 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: At mukha naman po accepted, acceptable sa lahat ng mga majority party, minority party at iba pang mga partido politikal. 271 00:19:22,840 --> 00:19:26,320 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Sa pagkat highly contested, napakaliit lang po ng lamangan. 272 00:19:26,320 --> 00:19:32,980 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Yung isa nakakuha ng 16 seats, yung isa nakakuha ng 15 seats, yung isa nakakuha ng 8 seats, at yung isa nakakuha ng 1 seat. 273 00:19:33,300 --> 00:19:42,280 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Subalit yung pong mga sectoral organizations, kahit po yung mga parliamentary districts, ay wala naman po mga narinig kami mga conference din. 274 00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:45,620 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: We were able to proclaim the 80 seats all in all. 275 00:19:46,360 --> 00:19:47,300 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: The next day lang po. 276 00:19:47,900 --> 00:19:56,300 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Bago po inabot ng gabi, na proklamo na po kaagad namin yung ating mga nanalo na mga parliamentary districts. 277 00:19:56,320 --> 00:19:58,620 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Members ng Bangsamoro. 278 00:19:59,060 --> 00:20:04,980 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: So, yan po at the same time ang Inyapong Commission on Election was awarded the Commission of the Year. 279 00:20:06,120 --> 00:20:08,400 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: International award po yung aming tinanggap na yun. 280 00:20:08,700 --> 00:20:16,620 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Plus all four other awards given by the international body, ICPS, to the Commission on Election. 281 00:20:16,780 --> 00:20:19,820 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: So kahit paano po, ay malaking accomplishments sa amin. 282 00:20:19,820 --> 00:20:25,780 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Including the three consecutive for the first time in the 85-year history of the Comelec. 283 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:32,540 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Kami po yung nakakuha ng tatlong magkakasunod na unqualified opinion from the Commission on Audit. 284 00:20:32,640 --> 00:20:40,860 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: So, yun naman po ay kahit paano, yung pananalapi, mapagmamalaki namin na inaayos po namin upang kahit paano, 285 00:20:41,300 --> 00:20:47,360 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: may pagtitiwala ang tao at masigurado ang proper accountability and transparency. 286 00:20:47,360 --> 00:20:54,180 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Kaya lang po, Mr. Chair, kami po yung nag-propose dahil naghahanda po kami ng halalang para sa 2028. 287 00:20:54,660 --> 00:20:55,580 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Nag-propose po kami. 288 00:20:55,580 --> 00:20:58,520 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Na sana makakapag-print na kami ng balota next year. 289 00:20:58,820 --> 00:21:01,280 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Sana makapag-procure na kami ng machine by next year. 290 00:21:01,640 --> 00:21:08,840 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Hindi po po pwedeng 2028 ang pag-print ng balota, pag-procure ng machines, at lahat po ng mga gagawin ay hindi pwedeng 2028. 291 00:21:09,220 --> 00:21:12,980 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Dapat po lahat siyan, sa karanasan natin, ay a year before the election. 292 00:21:13,580 --> 00:21:15,860 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Ang problem po ay nabawasan po kami, Mr. Chair. 293 00:21:16,260 --> 00:21:19,240 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: Mr. Chair, if I may lang po. May tanong lang ako, isang question lang. 294 00:21:21,540 --> 00:21:25,500 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: Napapansin ko, tumataas na yung trajectory ng mga voters' turnout. 295 00:21:25,580 --> 00:21:35,080 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: From 2016, am I correct? 2019, 2022, 2025, until sa BARM election, yung pataas siya, no? 296 00:21:35,220 --> 00:21:35,600 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Yes po. 297 00:21:35,880 --> 00:21:40,520 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: Ibig sabihin, nagpa-participate na po ang mga kababayan natin, mga voters, tumataas na. 298 00:21:40,820 --> 00:21:49,560 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Tama po kayo, Mr. Chair. In fact, ang kabataan ng 2025, 45% ng mga kabataan ang bumoto po ng 2025 National and Local Elections. 299 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:55,000 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: At kita niyo po, kahit po barangay ng SK Elections, mataas din po ang voters' turnout. 300 00:21:55,580 --> 00:22:04,360 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Sa dito pong Bangsamoro, after more or less three postponements, nakapagtataka at nakakatuwa po, 84.34%. 301 00:22:04,360 --> 00:22:11,560 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: Maalala ko before, about 70% up lang po. Ngayon, umabot na ng 82%, umabot na ng 84% nung BARM elections. 302 00:22:11,700 --> 00:22:17,860 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: Ibig sabihin, nagpa-participate na po ang mga ating mga kababayan. Sana, tumaas pa lalo ito to 90%. 303 00:22:17,860 --> 00:22:21,800 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Sana po. Ang isa pong dahilan talaga din po dyan is automation of the election. 304 00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:25,340 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: And at the same time, siguro po yung malawakang voters' 305 00:22:25,580 --> 00:22:29,580 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: education campaign. At tulong na rin po ng iba't ibang civil society organizations. 306 00:22:29,800 --> 00:22:33,000 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: Meron lang akong gustong i-suggest rin po sa inyo. Pakicheck nyo lang po. 307 00:22:33,500 --> 00:22:38,000 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: Napansin ko, kahit na 82% yung voters' turnout sa national natin, 308 00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:48,640 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: but sa mga overseas Filipino na voters natin, less than 50% po yung turnout. 309 00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:55,240 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: So, maaaring tingnan nyo na hindi na sila mahirapan or na bumoto or mainganyo silang, 310 00:22:55,580 --> 00:23:04,080 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: bumoto, maaaring malayo o nahirapan sila, baka maka ano kayo, makagawa kayo ng bagong sistema 311 00:23:04,080 --> 00:23:07,220 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: na mas maging convenient para sa mga overseas Filipino. 312 00:23:07,220 --> 00:23:12,660 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Maraming salamat po, Mr. Chair. Kami po ay nagsagawa na sa kauna-unang pagkakataon in our history 313 00:23:12,660 --> 00:23:16,480 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: ng ating tinatawag na internet voting nito pong 2025. 314 00:23:16,640 --> 00:23:24,580 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Maaaring po kasing bago at syempre po medyo sinasalat pa ng mga kababayan natin kung paano talaga ito tinitingnan. 315 00:23:25,580 --> 00:23:30,160 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Hindi po ganun kataas. Sa isang midterm elections po, Mr. Chair, lagi po siyang mababa. 316 00:23:30,160 --> 00:23:38,460 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Hindi pa po siya tumaas ng 20%. Noong nakaraang 2020, kahit po noong 2022, inabot lang po ng 18.3%. 317 00:23:38,460 --> 00:23:44,100 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Ito pong 2025, 18.2%. Pero po pagka presidential election, tumataas po siya, Mr. Chair. 318 00:23:44,420 --> 00:23:49,160 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Noong 2022 po, presidential election, inabot po siya ng 40.59%. 319 00:23:49,920 --> 00:23:51,500 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: So, less than 50% pa rin po. 320 00:23:51,500 --> 00:23:52,480 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Yes po, Mr. Chair. 321 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:55,540 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: Para naman mabigyan sila ng pagkakataon. 322 00:23:55,580 --> 00:23:58,340 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: Yung mga OFWs natin, gustong-gustong bumoto noon. 323 00:23:58,460 --> 00:24:06,760 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: Kaya lang siguro, maaaring yung oras nila o yung saan sila pupunta o hindi nila alam na meron na tayong online voting. 324 00:24:06,940 --> 00:24:10,320 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: Baka yung formation campaign nyo po, mas mapaigting pa po. 325 00:24:10,880 --> 00:24:11,520 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: Salamat po. 326 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:13,020 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Maraming salamat po, Mr. Chair. 327 00:24:13,980 --> 00:24:19,200 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: So, kami po, Mr. Chair, ay nabawasan ng 7 billion yung una. 328 00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:23,220 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Tinanggal po namin, zero po kami sa budget para sa aming pinapagawang building. 329 00:24:23,720 --> 00:24:25,560 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Zero po kami sa budget para sa mga local. 330 00:24:25,580 --> 00:24:30,840 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Zero po kami sa mga field-integrated offices po namin. 331 00:24:31,280 --> 00:24:33,400 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Originally po, 7 billion ang tinanggal sa amin. 332 00:24:33,540 --> 00:24:38,200 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Pero pagdating po ng NEP, nadagdagan po ito ng 15 point something billion. 333 00:24:38,340 --> 00:24:41,580 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: So, more or less po, 22, 23 billion ang nawala po sa amin. 334 00:24:42,040 --> 00:24:45,400 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Ang problema po namin, doon po sa 15 billion na nawala sa amin, 335 00:24:46,040 --> 00:24:48,820 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: okay na po yung tinanggal lang kami sa regular agency budget. 336 00:24:49,380 --> 00:24:50,760 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Pwede po kami magtipid ng lahat. 337 00:24:50,760 --> 00:24:55,560 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Pero we cannot compromise, Mr. Chair, yung automated election natin ng 2028. 338 00:24:55,580 --> 00:24:58,080 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Tinanggal po sa amin, Mr. Chair. 339 00:24:58,560 --> 00:25:04,520 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: For example, tayo po ay magkakailanganin po natin more or less 24,000 machines. 340 00:25:06,640 --> 00:25:10,020 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: 124,000 machines para sa 2028 elections. 341 00:25:10,740 --> 00:25:14,120 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Kung kaya lang po, natanggalan po kami more or less ng 1.6 billion. 342 00:25:14,720 --> 00:25:18,220 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Question, if you know, how much has the House restored? 343 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:24,320 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Kasi we have not received the GAB, the General [unclear] Bill, yung house version. 344 00:25:24,320 --> 00:25:27,320 Senator Panfilo Lacson: And if you know, nag-restore ba sila sa... 345 00:25:27,860 --> 00:25:28,980 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Wala po, Mr. Chair. 346 00:25:29,700 --> 00:25:38,400 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: During the budget deliberation po, nakiusap na lang ako sa, kami po sa committee on appropriation, subcommittee on appropriation, 347 00:25:38,920 --> 00:25:40,080 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: na kung pe pwede. 348 00:25:40,840 --> 00:25:48,620 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Kung yung pong, kasi alam po namin, Mr. Chair, yung 16% na napakaliit na space, budget space po natin, 349 00:25:49,120 --> 00:25:53,580 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: mukhang wala naman po kami pagkukuhanan kung saan pa natin kukuhanan yung departamento. 350 00:25:53,580 --> 00:25:58,620 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Ang sabi na lang po namin, kung sakali pong hindi matutuloy ang barangay ng SK elections, 351 00:25:59,140 --> 00:26:06,780 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: baka pa pwede pong yung 10.9 billion na unexpended balance, gamitin na lang po namin, ilagay na lang po, 352 00:26:07,120 --> 00:26:10,320 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: at kaya po nakakatuwa doon sa BSKE po na ilagay. 353 00:26:10,820 --> 00:26:17,840 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Pero ang Congress din po, sa kanila pong special provision, ilalagay din daw po yung provision na yan 354 00:26:17,840 --> 00:26:21,260 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: para daw po makasigurado na may magagamit si Comelec. 355 00:26:23,580 --> 00:26:28,080 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Understood. So you're hoping na ma-postpone? 356 00:26:28,380 --> 00:26:35,820 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Yes po, kaya po, Mr. Chair. Kami naman po, naandito kami, hindi po para pabigatin ang problema pa ng committee 357 00:26:35,820 --> 00:26:42,520 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: kung saan po kukuhanin pa yung sa amin. Yung sa amin lang po is, sana po mailagay na lang din as a special provision 358 00:26:42,520 --> 00:26:46,320 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: yung pong nailagay sa barangay ng SK. Malaking tulong na po yun, 359 00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:52,040 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: because maibabalik po namin, Mr. Chair, yung 9 billion, 9.2 billion na nawala kay Comelec 360 00:26:52,040 --> 00:26:53,560 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: na pang national and local election. 361 00:26:53,580 --> 00:26:59,680 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Yung natitira pong kulang-kulang na 2 billion, yun na lang po yung gagamitin namin pang-hire ng casual employees, 362 00:27:00,100 --> 00:27:08,540 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: yung pong sa registration of voters namin, and such other activities na natanggal po sa regular agency budget. 363 00:27:08,960 --> 00:27:15,900 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Ang importante po, okay na po yung 11 billion kesa po, kahit po nawala yung buong 15, at least po mayroon kami yung 11 billion. 364 00:27:17,280 --> 00:27:21,820 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Kindly update, kasi yung binigay sa aking briefer, yung sa utilization rate, 365 00:27:21,820 --> 00:27:28,740 Senator Panfilo Lacson: well, it is true na 99.9 yung, as of December 31, yung aming data. 366 00:27:28,900 --> 00:27:32,340 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Kung meron kayong as of June 30, 2026, kindly update us. 367 00:27:32,840 --> 00:27:33,460 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Yes, po, Mr. Chair. 368 00:27:33,660 --> 00:27:39,280 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Kasi yung sa, yung na-release talagang nasa 99.9%, no? 369 00:27:39,740 --> 00:27:45,780 Senator Panfilo Lacson: 47.334 billion ang na-release, na iwan lang 32 million eh. 370 00:27:46,280 --> 00:27:51,480 Senator Panfilo Lacson: But of the release amount, 26.4 billion or 55.9% 371 00:27:51,820 --> 00:27:53,800 Senator Panfilo Lacson: lang yung obligated. 372 00:27:54,900 --> 00:28:03,700 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Okay, so yung 20.861 billion, corresponding to 44.1%, yun ang remain unobligated. 373 00:28:04,520 --> 00:28:07,320 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Pero yung disbursement rate, again, mataas. 374 00:28:08,160 --> 00:28:08,440 Senator Panfilo Lacson: So, 375 00:28:09,580 --> 00:28:16,820 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: So, Mr. Chair, sa kasalukuyan po, as of September 15, ang aming pong budget utilization ay 38.68%, 376 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:21,780 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: sapagkat ito nga po yung sa barangay ng SK, yung part ng period po, 377 00:28:21,820 --> 00:28:25,700 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Yeah, I know. Pero yung obligation, yung unobligated, nabawasan na? 378 00:28:26,240 --> 00:28:26,480 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Yes. 379 00:28:27,040 --> 00:28:29,220 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Naka-factorin yung BSKE? 380 00:28:29,480 --> 00:28:30,140 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Yes, po, Mr. Chair. 381 00:28:30,140 --> 00:28:31,680 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Ah, okay. Thank you. Understood. 382 00:28:36,020 --> 00:28:38,820 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: So, dito po ako para sumuporta sa inyo. 383 00:28:40,080 --> 00:28:46,380 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: Anyway, I would like to congratulate the Comelec, led by Chairperson George Garcia, 384 00:28:46,380 --> 00:28:51,700 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: sa lahat po na empleyado, sa lahat ng commissioners, ng directors ng Comelec, 385 00:28:51,700 --> 00:28:57,020 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: for the successful conduct of the first ever Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections. 386 00:28:57,560 --> 00:28:59,140 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: Congratulations po sa inyong lahat. 387 00:28:59,160 --> 00:29:04,080 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Anyway, we'll give you time to submit according to the order of priorities, 388 00:29:04,460 --> 00:29:08,640 Senator Panfilo Lacson: kung ano yung gusto nyong ipaugment. 389 00:29:08,740 --> 00:29:15,240 Senator Panfilo Lacson: And let's find out if we can create some fiscal space pagdating nung GAB sa amin. 390 00:29:15,240 --> 00:29:17,020 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Yes, po, Mr. Chair. Maraming maraming salamat. 391 00:29:17,080 --> 00:29:20,240 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Ano pa naman? November pa naman siguro yung plenary dito eh, so... 392 00:29:21,700 --> 00:29:24,720 Senator Panfilo Lacson: Okay. So, yeah. 393 00:29:25,260 --> 00:29:29,040 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: I move to approve the budget of the Commission on Elections. 394 00:29:29,320 --> 00:29:36,240 Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go: And I recommend pala to approve the budget and submit it to the plenary for consideration, po. 395 00:29:36,720 --> 00:29:40,900 Senator Panfilo Lacson: There's a motion to recommend to the plenary the budget of the Comelec. 396 00:29:41,520 --> 00:29:46,640 Senator Panfilo Lacson: So, hearing no objection, so submitted, approved. Thank you. 397 00:29:47,000 --> 00:29:51,140 COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia: Maraming salamat po, Mr. Chair. Senator Bong, maraming maraming salamat po. 398 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:01,220 Senator Panfilo Lacson: [unclear] suspended.