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Comelec has no time, money for recall elections this year


MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) does not have enough money – and time – to conduct any recall election this year, Chairman Jose Melo said Wednesday. In a press briefing, Melo said they are yet to receive the budget allotted under the General Appropriations Act of 2009 for the conduct recall elections. He added that the Commission needs at least P92 million for recall polls. Melo said he learned from Senate Finance Committee Chairman Edgardo Angara that the allocation for recall elections had been deleted from the Act, which President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is yet to sign. "Why was it removed? You better ask our lawmakers," Melo replied when asked for the reason for the deletion. Last November, the Comelec suspended actions on all recall petitions due to lack of available funds. It lifted the ban last January after lawmakers said they would be given a P50 million budget for the recall polls. But even if President Arroyo signs the 2009 budget this week, Melo said it would be “impossible” to hold the recall polls considering its proximity to the 2010 presidential election. The Omnibus Election Code stated that no elections may be held inside a one-year period. Next year's elections are set on May 10. "May 9 would be the last day we can hold the elections because it is exactly one year before the May 2010 elections, but pushing back, we would need forty-five days for the campaign period and preparation and another fifteen days before the budget law would be in effect. So how much time do we really have left?” he noted. “We are already running out of time. It is now almost impossible for us to conduct recall elections,” he added. Among the more prominent recall petitions filed with the Comelec include the case against Pampanga Governor Eduardo "Ed" Panlilio and Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan. - GMANews.TV
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