• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The campaign against what is considered a “fake” People’s Initiative (PI) aimed at amending the 1987 Philippine Constitution is slated to kick off in Negros Occidental this weekend.
Led by father and son tandem, lawyers Cesar Beloria Sr. and Cesar Beloria Jr., the signature drive is for those who wish to withdraw their support for the PI, as they did not understand what they had signed.
More than 211,000 signatures from various local government units in Negros Occidental have already been submitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office.
The younger Beloria said that they will not retreat from the campaign.
“We should correct, what should be corrected,” he said, noting that “lies and deceptions have been employed in soliciting signatures”.
He added that the report about a barangay in Talisay City passing a resolution expressing opposition to the withdrawal of signatures for PI indicates that some people have realized that they have been fooled.
He noted that PI proponents want to amend Article 17, Section 1, Paragraph 1 of the 1987 Constitution, which gives absolute power to the House of Representatives, through the Speaker, to call for a Constituent Assembly anytime, and jointly voting with the Senate, the moment it will be approved through PI.
Once the petition filed before the Comelec, which may be able to verify the requirements, including three percent of registered voters per district, and 12 percent of the total registered voters in the country, it only needs publication, he added.
Once it will be published, the House Speaker or the Senate president may call for a Constituent Assembly, with both Lower and Upper House.
“Once you open the book, there is no limit, it will be a numbers game. With the amendments, the Senate will only be an alternative, and no longer part of the process,” Beloria said.
He said they have already distributed copies of forms for the withdrawal of signatures to volunteers in their respective areas.
While they are not expecting that majority of signatures will be withdrawn, Beloria said that even only five or 10 signatures of withdrawal can already be used as substantial basis for them to raise the issue of irregularity.
Meanwhile, Cauayan Mayor John Rey Tabujara yesterday said he is “neutral” as of this time, as he admitted that a signature campaign is ongoing in his town being spearheaded by a private group.
“I can’t say I am in favor or against the move as it will still go through the process. If the people will sign let them sign, if they won’t, then they should not be forced,” Tabujara said.
The mayor noted that he is supporting amendments to the economic provisions of the Constitution.
Comelec records showed that 6,848 signatures have been collected from Cauayan as of Jan. 22.
Himamaylan City Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson said “let the people decide on the Charter Change”, stressing that democracy should always be upheld in his city.
Tongson said he allows the “signature campaign to go around.”
“I will not force people to sign or not sign the petition. Allow them to understand both sides and let’s see what will develop,” the mayor said.
“I hope that whatever Constitutional changes that are being pushed should be for the benefit of the people,” he added. | GB
