By Joyce Pangco Pañares, Roy Pelovello

MALACAÑANG has submitted to Congress an P11.3-billion supplemental budget proposal for the automation of the 2010 national and local elections in time for the resumption of sessions on Jan. 19.

Presidential adviser for political affairs Gabriel Claudio said the Budget Department submitted yesterday the proposed additional capital outlay to Rep. Junie Cua, chairman of the House committee on appropriations.

“The funds will be released by the DBM to Comelec when the supplemental budget is enacted into law. The President will most likely certify this bill as urgent,” Claudio said.

Of the capital outlay, P9.959 billion will be spent for the acquisition of the machines for 2010 polls while the remaining P1.3 billion will be for preparatory activities “to ensure an informed, free, orderly, honest and credible elections.”

Claudio noted that the 2010 poll automation is one of the priorities of President Arroyo under her 10-point legacy agenda.

“The administration is committed and determined to support the automation of the 2010 polls,” he said.

This as House Speaker Prospero Nograles said he has committed to President Arroyo that the House of Representatives will work overtime to pass the proposed P1.415-trillion 2009 budget.

In a text message, Nograles said he and Mrs. Arroyo spoke about the budget at the necrological services for Antipolo Mayor Victor Sumulong, a former member of the House.

“I promised her that we will finish it by Jan. 19,” Nograles said.

Before Congress went on Christmas recess, the House bicameral panel authorized Cua and his counterpart in the Senate, Senator Edgardo Angara, to meet and iron out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the proposed 2009 budget.

Earlier, Cua said he and Angara have agreed on a P160-billion economic fund meant to pump- prime the economy to dampen any ill effects of the global economic crisis.