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'Neither coercion nor cash for people's initiative'
By Nidz Godino
"There is no instruction from higher ups to offer money, as far as I know… maybe it as initiative of individual or official. I, myself, won't allow that," House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo gave assurance there was no instruction from House leadership to coerce signatories or offer cash incentives to push for people's initiative as means to amend Constitution.
Tulfo, representative of ACT-CIS party-list, also denied allegation of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio signature buying for initiative is rampant in Davao City.
Tulfo noted even before 19th Congress, House was already keen on amending restrictive economic provisions in Constitution, but did not progress.
Before Christmas break in 2023, House members realized proposals for Charter change (Cha-cha) have not been moving, so they decided to push it this year.
"It was brought up, but never was it mentioned to force promote it by hook or by crook, and there were rumors it would be a gift to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his SONA ,State of the Nation Address this year there's nothing like that… just discussed," he added.
According to Tulfo, House no longer interferes with campaign for people's initiative, especially since session is about to resume on Monday and their hands are full with proposed legislation.
He said it is People's Initiative for Reform Modernization and Action or PIRMA that "keeps on doing it."
"So, ball is now with Senate, not with Congress, House… Monday, we will pass many legislations, there are priority bills of Marcos administration, so we will be focusing on them," he added.
Barangay officials who will take part in people's initiative to amend 1987 Constitution will face sanctions, source from Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.
DILG Undersecretary for barangay affairs Felicito Valmocina gave warning as he stressed department is taking hands-off policy on moves to change provisions of Constitution.
He said people who have information about barangay officials joining Cha-cha proponents may file complaint before DILG.
Among these are local officials helping people push for Cha-cha, who gather signatures from public.
"If there are complaints against local officials, you may submit these to DILG," Valmocina said in news forum at Dapo Restaurant and Bar in Quezon City.
Local officials found participating in efforts to amend Constitution could be held liable, he said.
While barangay halls are off limits, Valmocina said Cha-cha proponents may use covered courts for their activities, provided they seek clearance from barangay officials.
"So, they would need large covered courts, to me, there's nothing wrong with that if barangay lets them use it," he said.
Valmocina has received stories about barangay officials participating in efforts to shore up support for Cha-cha, but he declined to go into details in absence of concrete evidence.
DILG's guidance to barangay officials, Valmocina said, is just to monitor activities of groups pushing for Cha-cha, especially those who are getting signatures of people through harassment and intimidation.
"Barangays can investigate and make report," he said.
Meanwhile, over 100 members of various groups held noise barrage at the University of the Philippines Diliman campus in protest of Cha-cha.
Demonstrators are composed of civil libertarians, lawyers, peasant advocates and farmers who have expressed their objection against signature campaign to change provisions of the Constitution.
Conference was organized by Sentro para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo (Sentra), Legal Assistance Center and Tanggol Magsasaka.
Sentra executive director Jobert Pahilga urged public to oppose Cha-cha, as it will open country to foreign domination and wholesale ownership of education, media organizations, advertising and public utilities.
"We must thwart sinister attempts for never-ending Marcos presidency," Pahilga said in a statement.
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