The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is seeking P23.16 billion for voting machines for the 2028 national and local elections, warning that a funding shortfall could leave the commission 9,310 units short and result in longer queues at polling places.
Comelec officials told lawmakers that only P21.66 billion is currently included in the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) for the machines, about P1.5 billion less than the commission’s request.
‘Actually, that is what they requested to be provided, the P23.16 billion, because we will be short by 9,310 machines. The result would be longer lines, longer queues at our polling places,’ Rep. Mike Tan of the 4th District of Quezon, Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations said.
Comelec’s machine requirement is part of its proposed P29.5-billion budget for 2027, which is 46 percent higher than its P20.2-billion allocation under the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
At least P23.92 billion of the proposed budget is earmarked for preparations for the 2028 national and local elections, including procurement and system preparation, voter-related activities and other election requirements.
Despite the size of the proposed allocation, Comelec has yet to make a final decision on which voting machines will be used in 2028.
‘No, Mr. Speaker, it is still subject to bidding and procurement. The terms of reference are still in draft form,’ Tan said when asked whether the machines for the elections had already been determined.
Comelec is still finalizing the terms of reference based on recommendations from its Advisory Council. No commission resolution has yet been issued approving the machines for the 2028 polls.
Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice questioned the need to proceed with a new-machine procurement without first establishing the technical and financial viability of the 2025 units.
He called for an independent assessment of the options, including the potential costs of acquiring new machines versus reusing or refurbishing existing units.
Comelec said it is preparing an independent engineering study to assess the technical and cost considerations, while incorporating its experience from the recent Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.
‘We are just waiting for the conclusion of the Bangsamoro elections so we can incorporate the conduct of the BARMM elections into the study that will be conducted by Comelec,’ the representative said.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia earlier said the number of registered voters is projected to rise from about 68 million in 2025 to 74 million by 2028, adding to the commission’s preparations for the next national elections.