Lacson backs financially separating Comelec from LGUs

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 4) — Senator and presidential aspirant Ping Lacson said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) should be financially independent from local government units (LGUs) to prevent conflict of interest.

"Siguro para ipagtibay by way of legislation, ilagay na sa batas para ma-isolate, ma-insulate, lalo na sila ang in charge sa mga eleksyon na involved din mga LGU officials," he said during a press conference before he met with members of the transportation sector in Quezon City.

[Translation: Maybe to support this by way of legislation, add it to the law so we can isolate, insulate - especially since they're in charge of the elections where LGU officials are involved.]

Lacson backed newly confirmed Comelec commissioner Rey Bulay who earlier told lawmakers he's in favor of legislation that would prohibit LGUs from granting allowances to independent bodies, including Comelec and those exercising quasi-judicial functions such as the prosecution.

"Although the design of constitutional commissions is independence, the reality is they can't do their mandate without the help of all three branches of government especially Congress," Bulay said in a speech on Wednesday.

Article IX-A, Section 5 of the Constitution states that Comelec shall enjoy "fiscal autonomy." 

However, Section 55 the Omnibus Election Code requires LGUs to provide office spaces for Comelec. 

"[W]e could not agree more na dapat talaga bigyan sila ng karapatang budget para talaga sa Comelec, para hindi sila umaasa sa ayuda ng mga local government units," Lacson said.

[Translation: We could not agree more that Comelec should be given the appropriate budget so it doesn't have to depend on local government units for aid.]

Several bills have been filed - including one by Sen. Imee Marcos in 2019 and another by Sen. Leila de Lima in 2018 - seeking to amend the Election Code to transfer the responsibility of providing office spaces to Comelec instead.