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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Romualdez: House has no direct participation in PI movement 

Romualdez: House has no direct participation in PI movement 

Published Jan 23, 2024 10:38 am

At A Glance

  • Speaker Martin Romualdez has denied for the second straight day any hand from himself or the House of Representatives in the ongoing People's Initiative (PI) movement for Charter change (Cha-cha). 

IMG-6ebd9f040aa4b462ffd424d9dcf6ddb3-V.jpgHouse Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaker Martin Romualdez has denied for the second straight day any hand from himself or the House of Representatives in the ongoing People’s Initiative (PI) movement for Charter change (Cha-cha). 

"The [PI] stands as a direct expression of the people’s will, providing a means for citizens to propose constitutional amendments. The House does not endorse or sanction direct participation by its members in signature gathering, ensuring the process's integrity and independence remains intact," Romualdez said in a statement Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 24. 

The House chief gave these remarks "in response to the discourse surrounding the [PI]". 

Earlier Tuesday, it was reported that the growing sentiment among the senators was that the Romualdez-led House has been behind the PI movement. 

"I vehemently denounce any allegations of bribery or unethical practices in persuading citizens to sign the petition for the [PI]. Such actions, if true, would violate the initiative's spirit of honest and voluntary participation and erode our democratic foundations," Romualdez said. 

Philippine Congress, which has the power to legislate laws and revise the 1987 Constitution, is made of the House and Senate. 

It was only last Monday, Jan. 23 when Romualdez told reporters that he gave "no order" for the congressmen or House members to conduct the signature campaign for the PI. 

He clarified this terse remark in Tuesday's statement. "While the House respects and supports the People’s Initiative as an independent, citizen-driven process, our role is to facilitate and encourage democratic participation without direct involvement in signature collection." 

"We are committed to ensuring that proposals are processed in accordance with legal and constitutional guidelines, maintaining the integrity of our Constitution in subsequent legislative actions," added the Leyte 1st district congressman. 

HAVE YOU READ THIS? 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/22/no-orders-from-romualdez-to-collect-signatures-for-people-s-initiative

 

Romualdez has made no bones about his desire for Cha-cha, particularly in lifting the supposed restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. 

Proponents of constitutional revision believe that the PI is the best way to achieve this, especially with how historically lukewarm the Senate has been to Cha-cha 

"The House of Representatives stands committed to providing a transparent and accountable framework to support the [PI], ensuring that it remains a true representation of the people's collective will. We are here to support and respect the outcomes of this process, affirming the [PI ] as the purest form of democracy," Romualdez said. 

 

Related Tags

People's Initiative Charter change Martin Romualdez
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