Manila: Nearly PHP11 billion intended for the 2026 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) could instead help finance preparations for the 2028 national and local elections if Congress resets this year's village polls. Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia told a Senate hearing Monday that about PHP10.944 billion of the poll body's BSKE allocation would remain unobligated should the Nov. 2 elections no longer push through.

According to Philippines News Agency, Garcia stated that if Congress permits during budget deliberations, the unused funds could be redirected to prepare for the 2028 national and local elections. The Comelec would require PHP20.361 billion for the 2028 elections alone, apart from funds needed a year earlier for preparations for the presidential, congressional, and local races.

Senate President Win Gatchalian noted that retaining the unused BSKE allocation could reduce Comelec's future funding requirement, instead of asking Congress for an entirely new appropriation. Gatchalian highlighted that the PHP10 billion savings could help meet the financial requirements for the 2028 elections.

Comelec has a PHP19.57-billion allocation for the 2026 BSKE, significantly higher than the usual PHP11 billion to PHP12 billion spent on a barangay election cycle. Garcia attributed the increase to a larger electorate, more precincts, higher honoraria for teachers and election workers, additional support personnel, and increased printing requirements.

About PHP8 billion has already been obligated, including expenses for ballots and other election materials. Comelec has completed printing ballots for approximately 71 million voters. Garcia assured senators that these would not necessarily be wasted if the BSKE is reset, as ballots could still be used for a later election through a Comelec en banc resolution. Other reusable supplies would remain secured in the poll body's warehouses.

Comelec has postponed deliveries of election materials with shorter shelf lives, such as indelible ink and pens, while teacher training and some security-related expenditures have yet to be undertaken. The Senate Committee on Local Government is considering proposals that would fix the term of barangay and SK officials at five years, which could result in the resetting of the Nov. 2 BSKE.