ANGARA SEEKS P11-B ADDITIONAL OUTLAY FOR POLL AUTOMATION

Sen. Edgardo J. Angara today filed a bill which seeks to authorize an eleven billion pesos (P11-B) supplemental appropriation for the use of an Automated Election System in the conduct of national and local elections.

"The heart of a true democracy lies in achieving clean and honest elections which provide mandate and authority to elected public officials. Our laws mandate the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to use an automated election system in the conduct of national and local elections to encourage transparency, credibility, fairness and accuracy of elections."

He added, "The P11-B additional outlay for poll automation will allow the conduct of an automated national and local election in 2010 and ensure an informed, free, orderly, honest, and credible election that is reflective of the will of the Filipino electorate."

Angara filed SB 2984 which seeks to authorize a supplemental appropriation in order to conduct an automated election.

Of the total amount of P11,301,790,000 (Eleven billion three hundred one million seven hundred ninety thousand pesos) P9,959,710,000 will go to the acquisition of machines for the 2010 automated national and local elections. Moreover, P1,342,080,000 will be allocated for the preparatory activities in relation to the conduct of 2010 automated elections.

This supplemental appropriation is on top of the P5.3 - billion allocation of COMELEC as part of the proposed P1.415 - trillion FY 2009 General Appropriations Act.

"Once the session resumes on the 19th of January, the supplemental budget for poll automation will be one of the top priorities. The Finance Committee will immediately initiate proceedings leading to its expeditious approval."

RA 8436 as amended by RA 9369 authorizes COMELEC to use an automated election system in the conduct of national and local election. RA 8436 and RA 9369 was passed as early as December 22, 1997 and January 23, 2007 respectively.