Vice President Sara Duterte has lamented the supposed ongoing People's Initiative (PI) in different parts of the country wherein people were supposedly being encouraged to sign up for Charter Change in exchange for money.

In a statement, Duterte said the so-called "Pera kapalit ng pirma para sa People’s Initiative” taking place in Davao City and different parts of the country is a reflection of politicians' penchant to buy votes in every election.

"Ito ay pagsasamantala sa kahirapan ng ating mga mamamayan at kawalan ng respeto sa kanilang karapatan na magdesisyon nang malaya, walang takot, o impluwensya gamit ang salapi (This is taking advantage of their situation and disrespect for their right to decide freely and without fear or influence of money)," she said.

"Sinasalamin din nito ang kawalan ng pakialam ng mga politiko sa tunay na kalagayan ng mga ordinaryong Pilipino (It is also a reflection of the politicians' lack of interest in the true situation of the ordinary Filipino)," she added.

According to the Vice President, the efforts to amend the Constitution despite the "rampant poverty" is a painful sign of not being able to identify the true problems of Filipinos and the solutions to them.

Duterte then reminded the public to think twice before signing any piece of paper as this may have a "serious consequence" on their lives, freedom, and future.

"Sana ay unahin nating pag-usapan ang kapakanan ng mga Pilipino kaysa sa pagpapapasok sa mga dayuhan sa ating bansa. Unahin muna natin ang Pilipinas (I hope we will prioritize the welfare of Filipinos instead of letting foreigners enter the country. Let's put the country first)," she said.

"Ingatan po natin ang ating Saligang Batas (Let us safeguard the Constitution)," she added.