DBM says Comelec’s 2027 budget is enough to prepare for 2028 polls

The Department of Budget and Management says the Commission on Elections has enough money to prepare for the 2028 national elections, even after its proposed budget was reduced by P15.2 billion.

Comelec requested P44.7 billion for 2027, but DBM recommended P29.5 billion under the National Expenditure Program. The commission’s chair, George Garcia, had told a House appropriations hearing that the reduction in funding for preparatory national and local election activities could compromise the 2028 polls.

DBM countered that the proposed allocation is P9.31 billion, or 46 percent, higher than Comelec’s P20.20 billion appropriation under the 2026 General Appropriations Act. It said P23.92 billion of the 2027 proposal is earmarked for election preparations.

“

The provision of PNLE funding as early as FY 2026 was made to accommodate Comelec’s representation that preparations for the 2028 elections needed to begin two years ahead of the national and local elections, instead of the usual preparatory timeline.

That amount is substantially higher than the P2.87 billion provided for the same purpose in 2026, when the government began funding preparations earlier than usual. DBM said Comelec had argued that work for the 2028 elections needed to start two years ahead of the vote, rather than following the regular timetable of beginning substantial preparations one year before an election.

The agency also said the proposed 2027 preparation budget exceeds Comelec’s actual spending on preparations for the 2025 elections by P3 billion, or 14 percent. DBM added that Comelec has constitutional fiscal autonomy, allowing its approved annual appropriation to be released according to the law.

“

Through the proposed FY 2027 allocation, the government seeks to ensure that preparations for the 2028 elections are adequately supported while maintaining the prudent, efficient, and accountable use of public funds.