Bautista hopeful on completion of Comelec’s own building before the end of his term

Bautista hopeful on completion of Comelec’s own building before the end of his term (Photo: Comelec Commissioner James Jimenez/Twitter)

MANILA—Commission on Election (Comelec) Chairman Juan Andres Bautista is hoping that the poll body will have its own building before the end of his term which is on 2022.

He admitted that the matter is being discussed by the commissioners during their en banc sessions.

“We are discussing this in our en banc meetings. We don’t have a timetable yet but, hopefully, it can be completed (under my administration),” Bautista said in press conference during the launching of the “Comelec Village” on Monday.

He noted that they are coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) with regard to the construction of their new building including its design and architectural plan.

The poll body noted that Commissioners Christian Robert Lim and Arthur Lim, who are set to retire next year, are likewise hoping that they are still in office when the poll body transfers to its own building which will be located in Pasay City.

“Even the two commissioners retiring in 2018 are joking that they want to experience the new building. But we know it will not be an easy task,” Bautista added.

In 2012, the Comelec was able to acquire the 20,160-sq. m. lot worth PHP1.2 billion at a reclamation area located at Roxas Boulevard corner EDSA in the said city.

The poll body is looking to build a three-building compound with the main structure planned to be an 11-floor building.

Currently, the Comelec’s main office is located at the Palacio del Gobernador Building in Intramuros, Manila.

Meanwhile, the Comelec and the Comelec Employees’ Union (Comelec-EU) unveiled the five-hectare “Comelec Village”, a housing project exclusively for Comelec employees.

The village has 479 housing units and is located in Barangay San Sebastian in Kawit, Cavite.