‘People’s initiative still a Cha-cha option’

MANILA, Philippines — With senators in no rush to follow the House timeline on Charter change, the people’s initiative may be revived for amending the 1987 Constitution.

Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel, vice chairman of the House committee on legislative franchises, said yesterday the possibility of Charter change through a people’s initiative remains alive.

“Yes, because if you remember, the people’s initiative was only suspended by the Comelec (Commission on Elections). The Comelec did not say it’s terminated or they will not accept it. Meaning the suspension can always be lifted,” Pimentel told “Storycon” yesterday on One News. “For me, the people’s initiative is still alive.”

He did not say directly if this was a common sentiment in the House of Representatives, where Speaker Martin Romualdez has admitted providing advice and support to the People’s Initiative for Reform, Modernization and Action (PIRMA).

But Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin also said recently that if the Senate acts slowly on Charter change, PIRMA’s people’s initiative could be a better option.

Pimentel told Storycon that the House does not intent to submit the Resolution of Both Houses No. 7, which seeks to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, directly to the Comelec. Instead the House will follow procedure and forward RBH7 to the Senate, “for them to deliberate and concur with it.”

The Senate, however, has not set any date before the Holy Week break for tackling Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, which is the chamber’s version of economic Cha-cha.

Pimentel said if the House bypasses the Senate and brings RBH7 directly to the Comelec, it could be challenged before the Supreme Court.

If the House brings RBH7 to the Comelec, it will undergo a thorough study, according to Chairman George Garcia.

The Comelec chief said the poll body is obliged to receive and take action if RBH7 is submitted to the poll body.

“We will give enough time for every member of the en banc to study the petition itself. It’s not bad if we have a hearing to know and gather everyone’s opinion,” Garcia said in an interview on Thursday.

The poll chief said it is the duty of the