WHILE Congress is not in session and the people are still recovering from the hustle and frenzy of the Christmas holidays, followed by religious traditions in connection with the Black Nazarene of Quiapo and the Sto. Nino, an insidious move to revise the Constitution through a secretive and well-funded people’s initiative was being pushed by some very powerful people.
It was Rep. Edcel Lagman who first raised the red flag by revealing that several mayors in his first district in the province of Albay were given “mobilization funds” to gather signatures of their constituents in support of allowing Congress to vote on changes to the Constitution jointly.
A copy of the alleged petition that Lagman showed reporters stated it wants to amend the 1987 Constitution to allow the Senate and the House to vote as one instead of convening separately when deciding on possible changes to the 1987 Constitution. This would effectively give the House an upper hand in Cha-cha talks as the 315-member lower chamber outnumbers the Senate.
‘“If the campaign for people’s initiative to amend the Constitution is inspired by noble and patriotic motives, then why buy the people’s will?”’
A copy of the petition coming from the office of Sen. Imee Marcos showed that the Constitution’s article on Amendments or Revisions was sought to be rewritten as: “Section 1. Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution may be proposed by: (1) The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members, voting jointly, at the call of the Senate President or the Speaker of the House of Representatives… ”
The document also attests that those who signed it have studied and accepted its proposition, its rationale and advantages, and have read the full text and contents thereof. Further, the signatories authorized a certain Atty. Anthony A. Abad to file the petition and perform any or all acts necessary for its adoption.
“This movement is apparently nationwide as congressmen belonging to various political parties have been sent the necessary forms,” said Lagman. Three mayors from Albay who informed Lagman of the arrangement were reportedly given a 50% advance payment for the signature campaign that covers the cost of clinching 3% of the voters in each district — the minimum requirement for a successful people’s initiative campaign for Cha-cha.
Reports reaching the offices of Senators Marcos and Jinggoy Estrada said the people’s initiative campaign for Charter change involves P100 payouts to each signatory. The same sources said a budget of P20 million per district given to local officials and representatives for the campaign.
Estrada called the move “unethical and illegal,” saying the practice clearly violates laws and undermines the democratic process. He said people’s initiative is a constitutional right that should be exercised freely and without coercion.
Marcos expressed surprise that such a brazen attempt to tinker with the Constitution was even thought of, planned and executed. She asked who was behind this “kawalang-hiyaan.”
Rep. Raoul Manuel (Kabataan partylist) also flagged the distribution of a similar-looking petition and uploaded a picture of the form on X (Twitter) with the caption: “Marami ang nagpadala nitong form na pinapapirmahan daw sa brgy nila (Many people have sent us this form that they were allegedly asked to sign in their barangay). In the first place, whose initiative is this really? Is it really from the people? Is this the immediate answer to the main problems of the people?” Manuel said in Filipino.
Vote-buying is illegal in any election or referendum, as it violates the Omnibus Election Code, where vote-buying is considered an election offense.
Congressman Lagman asked: “If the campaign for people’s initiative to amend the Constitution is inspired by noble and patriotic motives, then why buy the people’s will?”
We have the same question for the proponents of this dubious attempt to gain political power.
