Manila, March 11 -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Tuesday that the PHP2.7 billion budget for the holding of the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) in October has been approved in principle by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, in an interview, said this would enable the poll body to start its preparations for the BPE.

"In order for us to utilize the budget allocated, we just have to submit our financial plan on how we will spend it, what do we need to procure, et al. It won't be given to us fully," he said.

At the same time, Garcia noted that parts of the funds would be used to provide additional honoraria for members of the Electoral Boards (EBs).

"Not only shoul...