BARMM Vote Budget in Trouble? Comelec Says Fuel Shock Could Push Costs Up 25%
The Commission on Elections is warning that the 2026 BARMM parliamentary polls could get a lot more expensive if fighting in the Middle East keeps pushing fuel prices higher. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said election costs may climb by as much as 25 percent under the cur
The Commission on Elections is warning that the 2026 BARMM parliamentary polls could get a lot more expensive if fighting in the Middle East keeps pushing fuel prices higher. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said election costs may climb by as much as 25 percent under the current situation.
A big chunk of that pressure comes from logistics. Election materials like automated machines and official ballots still have to move across the Bangsamoro region by land and sea, and mas ramdam daw ang impact when petroleum prices spike because transport is a major part of the budget.
Garcia said logistics expenses alone could rise by at least 20 percent, while supplies may become 20 to 25 percent more expensive. If the war drags on closer to the September 14, 2026 election, he said the final increase could go even higher than the current estimate.
That creates a real headache for Comelec because the agency may end up working with a budget that no longer matches actual field costs. For an election spread across island and mainland areas, even small fuel adjustments can quickly snowball into a major spending problem.
Bottom line: the BARMM vote is still on the calendar, but the money side is getting shakier. If oil prices stay hot, Comelec may have to look for additional funds just to make sure the regional elections run smoothly and on time.
Source: The Manila Times – https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/03/23/news/middle-east-war-may-raise-barmm-poll-costs-by-up-to-25-comelec/2305171
