Paid signatures for People's Initiative? 'It's invalid,' says Pimentel

For Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, paid signatures for the People's Initiative (PI) calling for an amendment to the 1987 Constitution are not valid. 

"Kung ang mga pirma ay binayaran, or mayroong compensation o may kapalit na mahalagang materyal or pwedeng pangako, para sa akin invalid yung signature na yun at di tunay na people's initiative. Labag na yan sa espiritu ng Konstitusyon (If the signature was paid for, or there was compensation for it, or was exchanged for something of value or a promise, for me that signature is invalid and is not the real essence of a People's Initiative. It violates the spirit of the Constitution)," Pimentel said in a radio interview on DWIZ on Saturday, Jan. 13.

Pimentel made the remark in relation to Senate Resolution (SR) No.902 filed by Senator Imee Marcos. It directs the appropriate Senate Committee to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the alleged payoffs and misrepresentations in the signature campaign for a PI. 

The said resolution also cited Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman, who claimed that Albay mayors were called for a general meeting at Ellis Hotel in Legazpi City, allegedly owned by Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co. The mayors weren't told about the specific agenda of the meeting.

Lagman further stated that voters who would sign the petition for PI will be given P100. 

There have also been reports that P20 million was allegedly offered to each congressional district that could deliver the needed number of signatures in support of PI to amend the Constitution.

Pimentel said that it's just right that the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation chaired by Senator Marcos should handle the investigation.

"Kasi ang implication nito kung mapatunayan natin na ganun na nga ang nangyari, may malawakang bribery or pagbili ng boto or kahit na siguro may incidents na madocument natin, yan ang magiging recommendation ng committee sa Commission on Elections (Comelec) na i-consider ang ninyo itong findings natin sa oras na andiyan na ang petition sa inyo (The implication here is that if ever we prove that it's true that this happened, that there's widespread bribery or vote-buying or just incidents that we can document, that will serve as the recommendation of the committee to Comelec, which is to consider the findings in case a petition is filed)," he explained.

Regarding the Senate's stance on Charter change (Cha-cha), Pimentel believes that they have a collective stand on voting separately from the House of Representatives (HOR). 

But as to whether or not it's the right time to amend the existing Charter or to focus on political or economic provisions, the senator stated varying views.