Comelec seeks budget for own HQ

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will be asking Congress to appropriate funds for the construction of the poll body’s own headquarters.

Comelec chairperson George Garcia yesterday said the poll body is currently leasing its offices in Manila for its operations.

“We’re pleading with Congress to give us even a minuscule budget to put up our own building,” Garcia said.

The official’s appeal came after a fire burned its IT Department in Palacio del Gobernador in Manila, raising fears about the security of the electorate’s data.

Although its IT office was destroyed, the poll body claims its files and data are safe.

During a press briefing earlier in the week, Garcia said the poll body spends between P72 million to P75 million for its monthly lease payment.

Garcia pointed out that other constitutional agencies, such as the Commission on Audit, Civil Service Commission, and Commission on Human Rights, have their own offices.

“Even if it will take 10 years to construct, even if my term ends, what’s important is that something was started, because this is not just the legacy of the present administration but the legacy of the commission,” he said.

The Comelec has already purchased a property from the Public Estates Authority where its future headquarters will be located.

The property, near Baclaran Church in Parañaque City, was acquired by then-Comelec chairperson Sixto Brillantes.

Garcia said the three-hectare headquarters will be a “green building.”

During elections and the submission of certificates of candidacy, it will operate as a command center. It will also be the site of presidential and vice-presidential debates.

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