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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider People's Initiative for Cha-cha? Poll chief says Comelec is 'always prepared'

People's Initiative for Cha-cha? Poll chief says Comelec is 'always prepared'

Published Dec 15, 2023 08:38 am

At A Glance

  • Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia said that the poll body is "always prepared" should a People's Initiative (PI) be pursued as a means to amend the existing Charter.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia said that the poll body is "always prepared" should a People's Initiative (PI) be pursued as a means to amend the existing Charter.

In a text message to the Manila Bulletin, Garcia said that Comelec is always prepared even if the PI would coincide with their preparations for the upcoming 2025 elections next year.

He added that they "will wait and closely monitor the situation and act accordingly when the proper time comes".

The House of Representatives intends to revive talks on Charter change or "Cha-cha" next year. 


Under Republic Act (RA) No. 6735, or The Initiative and Referendum Act, it defines "initiative" as the power of the people to propose amendments to the Constitution or to propose and enact legislations through an election called for the purpose.

It also states that the power of initiative and referendum may be exercised by all registered voters of the country, autonomous regions, provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays.

Under this law, to exercise the power of initiative or referendum, at least ten per centum (10 percent) of the total number of the registered voters, of which every legislative district is represented by at least three per centum (3 percent) of the registered voters thereof, shall sign a petition for the purpose and register the same with the Commission.

For this purpose, Comelec shall set a special registration day at least three weeks before a scheduled initiative or referendum.

For the conduct of the initiative, Comelec shall call and supervise the conduct of initiative or referendum.

"Within a period of thirty (30) days from receipt of the petition, the Commission shall, upon determining the sufficiency of the petition, publish the same in Filipino and English at least twice in newspapers of general and local circulation and set the date of the initiative or referendum which shall not be earlier than forty-five (45) days but not later than ninety (90) days from the determination by the Commission of the sufficiency of the petition," it stated.

The proposition of the enactment, approval, amendment or rejection of a national law shall be submitted to and approved by a majority of the votes cast by all the registered voters of the Philippines.

 

Related Tags

House of Representatives Commission on Elections (Comelec) comelec chairman george erwin garcia
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