Senate urged to probe Cha-cha signature buying

A RESOLUTION has been filed at the Senate calling for an inquiry into reports that proponents pushing for a people’s initiative (PI) mode to amend the 1987 Constitution have been paying P100 to registered voters who would sign the petition.

Senate Resolution No. 902 was filed by Sen. Imee Marcos on January 10.

“There is a need to put a stop to these corrupt activities and ensure that any petition for a people’s initiative to amend the Constitution is filed with the full consent and free will of the people,” Marcos said in the resolution, citing news reports quoting Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman’s disclosure that Ako Bicol party-list coordinators have allegedly received an unspecified amount of money to ensure that the initiative would “gain ground.”

The resolution also noted reports that Quezon City residents were purportedly invited to attend a meeting for solo parents and were made to sign a document on the pretext that it was for the distribution of P3,000 financial assistance, but the document turned out to be for a PI petition to amend the Charter.

“There were also reports that P20 million was allegedly offered to each congressional district that could deliver the needed number of signatures that could support the people’s initiative to amend the Constitution,” the resolution said.

“These reported payoffs in the signature campaign for a people’s initiative to amend the Constitution and the blatant manner by which ordinary citizens, particularly those in need of government aid, are being misled and exploited, are unconscionable acts of corruption which are inimical to the very concept of democracy,” it added.

Aside from looking into the supposed signature-for-a-fee Cha-cha drive, Marcos also filed Senate Resolution No. 903 seeking a review of the efficacy of RA 6735, or the enabling law implementing the PI to propose amendments to the Constitution.

“In order to ensure that there is a realistic avenue for the people to propose amendments to the Constitution or to propose national or local legislation, as well as to approve or reject a local or national law or resolution, there is a need to examine the efficacy of RA No. 6735 in providing for a system of initiative