Sen. Imee fooled?
It is not April Fools Day yet. But to Senator Imee Marcos, she claims being fooled, not just once but twice. This she found out belatedly, one after the other. She confessed falling victim to a “web of lies” spun allegedly by the brains behind the Charter change (Cha-cha) through people’s initiative (PI) mode.
Following the sudden emergence of signatures calling for PI in late December last year, questions were raised on the source of funding of the nationwide signature campaign. On Dec. 28 last year, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) signed the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) that provided for a P5.768-trillion budget for the funding this year of the government’s National Expenditure Program (NEP).
The final version of the 2024 GAA was put together by the bicameral conference committee (bicam). Dubbed as the so-called “third Congress,” the bicam for the 2024 GAA was jointly chaired by Senate finance committee headed by Sonny Angara and Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co for the House appropriations committee.
When reports started trickling out about a nationwide collection of PI signatures calling for Cha-cha, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was among the first to call out against it. On Jan. 8, Sen. Estrada revealed reports reaching him about alleged bribery involved in the PI signature gathering. “It is unethical and illegal to solicit signatures of constituents to petition for Charter change moves in exchange for P100, in the guise of supposed people’s initiative. This practice clearly violates our laws and undermines the democratic process,” Sen. Estrada deplored.
“The people’s initiative is a constitutional right that should be exercised freely and without coercion,” he stressed. “Whoever is behind this sinister move to tinker with the 1987 Constitution should be investigated and prosecuted for engaging in such unlawful activity. The people’s trust in the democratic process must be protected and preserved.”
Following our legislative process, the bicam composed of senators and House members are designated to reconcile the differing provisions of the Senate and House versions of the same legislative measure. Through the years, the bicam has become powerful as
