THE so-called People’s Initiative (PI) is allegedly perpetrated by some unnamed politicians in a bid to amend the Philippine Constitution, especially the economic provisions to improve the lot of the people.
And this (PI) attempt is being reportedly ridiculed by some quarters and called it “Piso Initiative” since those who initiated it urged the people or individual to sign the petition for charter change (ChaCha) in exchange of P100 or more.
The Catholic Church quickly slammed the mocking of the PI. “Mismong ubang senador ug kongresista napuno sa pagduda, nga imbis tawgong “People’s Initiative,” gitiaw-tiawan na lang hinoon kini pagtawag og “Piso Initiative,” the joint pastoral letter by Bishop Alberto S. Uy and Bishop Patrick Daniel Y. Parcon of the Dioceses of Tagbilaran and Talibon, respectively.
Why pay them to sign the petition, the prelates’ statement said.
“Dili dautan nga konsultahon ang katawhan pinaagi og tiunay nga People’s Initiative. Apan walay klaro nga pagpasabot kon unsay bag-ohon sa balaod? Ug nganong bayran man?”
The prelates said that it is not bad to consult the people thru the genuine people’s initiative. But there was no clear attempt to make the people understand what to amend in the Constitution.
They lamented that there are a lot of problems — like corruption in the government, West Philippine sea and environment — facing the country that must be given attention.
“AYAW IBUGTI ANG IMONG PIRMA PINAAGI LAMANG SA SALAPI. Paninglan kita sa mga umaabot nga mga henerasyon kon kita magpalingla. Ug dili ta kalimtan ang mga pulong sa Dios: “Pagmalig-on kamo ug pagmaisogon. Ayaw kahadlok kay ubanan kamo sa GINOO nga inyong Dios.”
In the city, a certain petition signed by several individuals whose names are concealed in one of the barangays of Tagbilaran City was being circulated and posted in social media.
The petition cited the section 1(1), article XVII of the Philippine Constitution as the basis of the PI.
The petition carries the columns of names of the petitioners, address, precinct number and signature.
It was not immediately known if the city hall is aware of this PI signature campaign for ChaCha.
PI has drawn flak from Vice-President and DepEd secretary Sara Z. Duterte, The Senate and Bayan Muna.
In her statement posted in her official facebook page, Duterte said, “Mga kababayan, ang isinasagawang “Pera kapalit ng pirma para sa People’s Initiative ay patuloy na nangyayari araw-araw sa siyudad ng Davao at sa iba pang bahagi ng bansa.”
“Usa kini ka pagpanamaytamay sa dignidad sa mga yanong katawhang Pilipino.” (This PI in exchange of money is disrepute of the dignity of the people), Duterte said.
“Ang patuloy na pagsulong sa people’s initiative at charter change, sa kabila ng laganap na kahirapan at kawalan ng katiyakan sa ating kapayapaan at kaayusan, ay masakit na palatandaan sa kabiguang matukoy ang tunay na mga problema ng mga Pilipino at solusyonan ang mga ito,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Senate led by Senate President Migz Zubiri rejects the attempt Chacha thru P.I. via an official statement unanimously signed by all Senators.
The statement said that the Senate must guard any sinister act for Chacha “by exploiting our democratic processes under the guise of P.I.”
It said that the goal of P.I is clear —- to eliminate the Senate in the equation. “It will destabilize the principle of bicameralism and the system of check and balances.”
Bayan Muna chairman Atty. Neri Colminares had this to say: “This Cha-cha is very dangerous because it seeks to oust the Senate from the process of amending the Constitution and centralize that power to the House of Representatives thereby diluting the checks and balance in Congress.”
He urged the oppositions to file cases in local courts and Comelec against use of public funds in P.I campaign.
He also urged the Senate and others who are opposing the current PI “to first oppose the initiative in the local level before going up to the Supreme Court.” (rvo)
