PIRMA head faces Senate contempt raps

MANILA, Philippines — The People’s Initiative for Reform, Modernization and Action or PIRMA must divulge to the Senate the names of donors who funded the television ad bashing EDSA people power or face criminal charges, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros warned yesterday.

In pushing for a people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution, PIRMA has funded a television ad that blamed the post-Edsa Charter for the country’s slow progress.

The ad coined the term “EDSA-pwera” – a reference to “etsapwera” or ignored – to send the message that the masses did not benefit from the gains of the 1986 uprising, which restored democracy in the country after the two-decade dictatorship of the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Hontiveros bristled at PIRMA lead convenor Noel Oñate’s claim during the previous Senate electoral reforms hearing that donors wanted to keep their identities confidential.

Oñate claimed that he funded half of the P55-million ad out of his own pocket, while the other half came from contributors.

“If the donors to the TV ad are worried about their privacy or security, then the list could be submitted and examined in an executive session, as mentioned by committee chair Sen. Imee Marcos,” Hontiveros said.

“Oñate should respect the Senate subpoena compelling him to provide the documents, lest he wants to be liable for disobedience to summons punishable under Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code,” she asserted.

“Oñate should be reminded that to belittle and disobey the Senate is a violation of the law,” Hontiveros added.

For her part, Senator Marcos yesterday warned Oñate that he could be cited for contempt anytime if he continues defying the Senate probe on the signature buying that hounded the people’s initiative campaign.

“We are letting him be so that we can find out more about the events. The more he talks, the more he exposes himself. But the truth is, we are gritting our teeth at the things he is saying, for which he can be cited for contempt soon,” she added.

The President’s sister expressed frustration at Oñate’s refusal to provide the list of donors. “He is annoying. He is showing arrogance,” Marcos said in a phone interview with