Comelec hit over ‘unauthorized’ land purchase

MANILA, Philippines – Why did the Commission on Elections (Comelec) buy a P1.19-B property even if Congress has not approved it?

Senator Franklin Drilon said the Comelec could face prosecution for buying the billion-peso lot along Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City, which is meant to be the poll body’s new headquarters.

Drilon, who chairs the Senate finance committee, said the Comelec needed to secure Congress approval for this. He said the poll body cannot use its fiscal autonomy as an excuse, and use its savings to buy land without congressional consent.

“There appears to be a gross violation of the Constitution on the part of the Comelec when they decided to use their P3.5-B savings to purchase a piece of land worth P1,188,865,295.82… Comelec’s position is totally wrong,” Drilon explained.

Comelec cannot be reached for comment as of posting time.

Drilon added the Comelec can only use savings to fund projects under the General Appropriations Act, which Congress had already authorized.

“There is no authority of whatsoever under the 2012 General Appropriations Act for Comelec to purchase land for a building. That is the role of Congress, the role of Congress is to appropriate to specific items,” Drilon said. “In other words, they became Congress by themselves.”

The Comelec has initially paid P250-M for the lot. – Rappler.com