REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9007 - AN ACT APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF TWO BILLION FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHT THOUSAND PESOS (P2,450,268,000) TO FUND THE HOLDING OF THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS IN 2001 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Appropriations. — The sum of Two billion four hundred fifty million two hundred sixty-eight thousand pesos (P2,450,268,000) is hereby appropriated to fund the holding of the national and local elections in 2001, of which One billion three hundred forty million two hundred eighty-seven thousand pesos (P1,340,287,000) shall be for personal services and One billion one hundred nine million nine hundred eighty-one thousand pesos (P1,109,981,000) for maintenance and other operating expenses.

SEC. 2. Release and Use of Funds. — The amount shall be released to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and shall be used for the purpose intended in accordance with the existing accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

SEC. 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect beginning January 1,2001.

Approved,

(Sgd.) AQUILINO Q. PIMENTEL JR. (Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.

President of the Senate Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act which originated in the House of Representatives was finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on November 28, 2000 and November 27, 2000, respectively.

(Sgd.) LUTGARDO B. BARBO (Sgd.) ROBERTO P. NAZARENO

Secretary of the Senate Secretary General House of Representatives

Approved: February 21, 2001

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO President of the Philippines