• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced Thursday, Feb. 15, that the withdrawal forms for individuals who want to withdraw their signatures from the People’s Initiative (PI) petition for Charter Change are now available in all election offices nationwide.
In a statement, the Comelec said that there are individuals who have manifested their intention to withdraw their signatures, citing the pronouncement of Senator Ronald De la Rosa during the Senate committee hearing on electoral reforms.
Dela Rosa raised the concerns of those who were allegedly fooled into signing the PI forms seeking to amend the 1987 Constitution in exchange for social welfare benefits.
In Negros Occidental, the Comelec received PI signatures sheets with 248,398 signatures, Provincial Elections Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria earlier said.
Bacolod-based lawyer Cesar Beloria said in a previous interview that they were able to establish irregularity in the gathering of signatures to support the Charter Change.
“For purposes of recording such manifestations, the Commission hereby releases the withdrawal form of signature in signature sheets/petition for people’s initiative,” the Comelec statement read.
Comelec also clarified that its acceptance of withdrawal forms is for recording purposes only, and shall not be construed as formal action by the Commission in the signature sheets/petition for PI.
The withdrawal forms are available in all Comelec officials all over the country, where the accomplished forms should likewise be submitted or returned.
Comelec, however, said that it issued Resolution No. 10650 on Jan. 29, which suspends all proceedings related to the PI to amend the 1987 Constitution, remains in effect. | GB
