The Palace on Saturday supported the plan of Commission on Elections chairman Andres Bautista to initiate electoral reforms in time for the holding of the 2019 mid-term election.
Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma agreed that it is time to revise the Omnibus Election Code particularly on campaign spending.
“Most welcome ang reporma na itinataguyod ng Comelec at ng iba pang mga stakeholders [We most welcome the plan of the Comelec and other stakeholders for an electoral reform],” Coloma said in an interview over state-owned Radyo ng Bayan.
Bautista proposed the reform in his speech during the proclamation of 12 senators and 46 party-lists, saying that there is a need for the amendment of the Omnibus Election Code in time for the midterm polls in 2019.
He admitted that despite the “successful” automated elections last May 9, 2016, there are some provisions of the OCE or Batas Pambansa Bilang 881 which was passed in 1085, that have become obsolete.
“For me, although we had very good outcomes, there is still room for improvement and that’s what I’m aiming for now,” Bautista said.
The poll chief said that he will call for strategic planning conference among Comelec officials to assess the previous voting exercises and determine what areas the agency should improve.
“That’s one of our priority agenda items. We want to come up with a draft Omnibus Election Code that will be more reflective of the current situation especially on technology, how technology has changed our elections,” Bautista said.
Bautista said that the campaign spending limit also needs to be adjusted.
Coloma, on the other hand, agreed with Bautista advising the poll chief to also conduct a comprehensive study on the campaign finance and donors.
The issue on campaign finance is also included in the planned electoral reform, and it would be best if it is included in their comprehensive study, Coloma said.
Under the OEC, a presidential candidate is allowed to spend P10 per voter plus P5 from the political party.
Those running for senator down to local posts can spend only up to P3 per voter plus P5 from the political party, while the spending limit for an independent bet is P5 per voter.