'Timeline' for cha-cha unlikely to be followed - Comelec

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 19) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is doubtful that the purported timeline for charger change via the people’s initiative will likely be followed.

“At this point, medyo malabo po yung sinasabi nilang June na plebisito. Siguro po kung nai-submit nila yan as early as mga January 1st, 1st week, baka mahahabol pa,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia told reporters Friday.

[Translation: At this point, conducting a June plebiscite is unlikely to happen. Perhaps, had they submitted the petitions as early as January 1st, then that would be possible.]

“Eh yung verification pa lang po, hindi po ganoon kadali yun sapagkat iisa-isahin po yung signatures,” he added.

[Translation: The verification alone is already a tedious task because we need to check each signature.]

The poll chief was referring to the purported timeline bared by Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel, and Senator Imee Marcos.

The said timeline by the proponents of the people’s initiative suggests a June 17 date for the plebiscite to amend the 1987 Constitution. This can only be possible if Comelec approves the petition and swiftly finishes the verification process.

The supposed schedule also stated that the result will be out by July 8.

But Garcia questioned how the proponents have already estimated dates when a petition has not yet been filed.

“Paano nila masasabi yung timelines, pero wala pa namang fina-file na petition sa Comelec?" he said. "'Yung trigger ay magsisimula kapag may na-file na rito sa main office ng Comelec na isang petisyon. Diyan po tayo pupuwedeng magkaroon ng computation."

[Translation: How can they come up with a timeline without even filing a petition first before the Comelec?]

Salceda earlier said the target date was set to prevent the plebiscite from coinciding with the 2025 midterm polls.

Garcia also disagreeed with proposals to hold the exercises simultaneously.

“Kung merong kasabay na pipili pa ng mga lider magmula sa national position hanggang sa local, eh sa aking palagay magugulo ang ating mga kababayan,” said Garcia.

[Translation: If it will coincide with the voting for the new leaders