• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Proponents of amendments to the 1987 Philippine Constitution were able to gather 157,645 signatures in 11 local government units (LGUs) of Negros Occidental, records of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday showed.
Provincial Elections Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said that his office can issue a certification on the signatures gathered.
Bacolod City Election Officer Kathrina Trinio- Caña said that all the 61 barangays in the city have submitted a signed petition to their office.
Of the 11 LGUs, the highly-urbanized Bacolod City gathered the most number of signatures with 69,098.
It was followed by Sagay City with 15,052 signatures, Calatrava – 11,726; Escalante City – 11,458; San Carlos City – 10,811; Sipalay City – 10,210; Bago City – 7,725; Manapla – 6,205; Silay City – 5,904; Talisay City – 4,927; and Murcia – 4,529.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson expressed his support to amendments to the Constitution, but these should be limited to its economic provisions, in whatever form.
“I think there is a total agreement, as far as economic provisions is concerned. Right now, we are getting left behind by our neighboring Southeast Asian countries. If they feel that the Constitution really hampers, especially direct foreign investments, let’s put it in the ballot, and let the people decide,” he added.
Noting that past administrations tried to amend the Constitution, but failed to do so, Lacson said, “Once and for all, let’s make it happen and find out from the public if they conform with the changes”.
“It is now the time for real Charter change,” he said. | GB
