House to fast track p11.3-B poll supplemental budget

MANILA, Philippines - House Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr. ordered fast-tracked a proposed P11.3-billion supplemental budget for poll automation in time for the 2010 elections. Nograles instructed appropriations committee chairman Junie Cua and majority leader Arthur Defensor to prioritize the supplemental automation measure. "Appropriations Chairman Junie Cua has formally filed the supplemental budget under House Bill 5715 allotting the needed funds for the acquisition of equipment and for preparatory activities of the Commission on Elections for the automated 2010 polls," Nograles said in an article on the House of Representatives website. He said he expects the bill to pass in the Lower House within days from resumption of session on January 19, adding he expects President Arroyo to certify the measure as urgent. Earlier, presidential political affiars adviser Gabriel Claudio said the Budget Department will release the funds once the funding bill is enacted into law. Of the P11.3-billion supplemental outlay, P1.3 billion would cover all the necessary groundwork preparations by the Commission on Elections and other deputized government agencies, while P9.959 billion will be needed for the acquisition of computers and other related machines to be distributed nationwide during the 2010 polls. "The poll automation will ensure an informed citizenry on their right of suffrage and the conduct of free, orderly, honest and credible elections," Nograles said. - GMANews.TV