CEBU CITY – Sen. Risa Hontiveros and other opposition leaders vowed to block moves to amend the Constitution.
FORMER Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Atty. Chel Diokno, and Sen. Risa Hontiveros answer questions from reporters during their recent visit to Cebu City. (Calvin D. Cordova)
Hontiveros said they are willing to go to the Supreme Court to stop the People’s Initiative being pushed to change the 1987 Charter.
She added that they received reports that a dubious signature campaign is happening on the ground just to push PI.
“We will intend to stop it. There are civil society groups that said they will go to the Supreme Court to stop the People's Initiative. And that is why, we will create sufficient numbers in the Senate to stop this People's Initiative," Hontiveros said in a press briefing here on Sunday, January 21.
Hontiveros, together with former Sen. Kiko Pangilinan and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, was in Cebu to attend the Sinulog Festival.
They stressed that the country is facing more pressing issues than constitutional amendments.
Economic reforms can be achieved without Cha-cha, they said.
Hontiveros said there had been reports that government social programs were used to persuade people into signing PI.
The senator said a Senate inquiry will be conducted to check reports of dubious signature campaigns.
Diokno said that they will help gather evidence like pictures that will prove that voters were deceived into signing and were given compensation just to push the PI agenda.
Diokno, Pangilinan, and Hontiveros said the public could reach them through their respective social media platforms to report any illegal signature campaigns.
“Definitely, that would invoke a legal remedy. We could not tinker on the Constitution on the basis of those kinds of actions. Other than that, if they continue to push it, it will definitely reach the Supreme Court. Is an Initiative allowed without an enabling law?" Diokno said.
"There are already some lawyers and lawyers group who are beginning to prepare and study that issue anticipating it will reach the Supreme Court,” added Diokno.
Pangilinan asked the public to gather video as evidence on how the supposed PI was conducted.
"So, if you have photos, videos of what is going on on the ground. ‘Yung sino ang mga involve diyan, saan ginagawa ‘yan. Eh lahat naman kami may Tiktok, may Viber, may Instagram, may Facebook, i-direct message ninyo kami ng mga materials na ito na sa paghahanda nitong posibleng maging petition," Pangilinan said.