COMELEC Budget Cuts and Market Movements

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in the Philippines faces significant challenges ahead of the 2028 presidential elections due to a substantial budget cut. The Executive branch has reduced Comelec’s proposed spending plan for 2026 by 36.2%, allocating P11.52 billion instead of the P18.06 billion initially requested. This reduction could hinder the commission’s ability to prepare adequately for the upcoming elections, as highlighted by Comelec’s chairman.

In financial markets, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange saw notable activity on September 2, 2025. The trading day was marked by a net sell-off of 12.20 billion CNY by brokerage departments, with 21 stocks experiencing net purchases and 23 stocks facing net sales. Among the top net-purchased stocks were Changchun High-Tech (000661), Jullun Intelligent (002031), and GouXiao Group (000564), with net purchase amounts constituting significant portions of their respective trading volumes.

Changchun High-Tech closed at 124.71 CNY, with a 10% increase and a net purchase of 27.943.89 million CNY, accounting for 10.22% of the day’s trading volume. Jullun Intelligent, closing at 8.90 CNY, saw a 10.01% rise and a net purchase of 27.559.41 million CNY, making up 9.53% of its trading volume. GouXiao Group, with a closing price of 2.68 CNY, experienced a 9.84% increase and a net purchase of 20.302.41 million CNY, representing 9.82% of its trading volume.

The Shenzhen Stock Exchange’s performance reflects broader market trends, with COMELEC’s financial challenges highlighting the impact of budgetary constraints on institutional preparedness. As the market continues to evolve, stakeholders will closely monitor both political and economic developments.