Almost P1B spent for barangay, SK polls prep: Comelec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec)  (Photo By Wikimedia Commons, Fair use)

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has spent close to PHP1 billion in preparation for the October 23 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls that was postponed to May 2018.

“The total budget for barangay and SK elections is about PHP7.

6 billion. We have already spent about PHP900 million,” Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista said.

Bautista explained that PHP550 million was spent for the printing of the 59,548,410 ballots.

He added the PHP350 million went to other expenses, including payment for the salaries of personnel.

On October 2, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 10952, moving the date of elections from October 23, 2017, to the second Monday of May 2018.

After two days, the Comelec en banc issued Resolution No. 10212 ordering the suspension of all activities related to the village and youth polls.

Likewise, it directed all officials of the poll body including deputies to preserve and maintain all documents, forms, and supplies meant for the barangay and SK elections that are in their custody.