House Speaker Martin Romualdez and all other lawmakers at the House of Representatives who are bent on pushing amendments to the 1987 Constitution are welcome to attend the Senate’s inquiry into the ongoing People’s Initiative (PI) signature campaign drive.
Sen. Imee Marcos, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, said her committee will welcome the House leader and other congressional leaders to the hearing scheduled on Tuesday, January 30.
“Very courteous naman kami, hindi naman kami basta nagsa-subpoena or nagpapa-aresto. Ang sinasabi ko lang kung gusto niyong linisin ang pangalan ninyo, at maisantabi ang mga haka-haka, mag-prisinta na lang kayo at pumunta na lang kayo (We are courteous, we don’t subpoena or arrest a fellow colleague. What I’m saying is that if you want to clear your name, or set aside any speculations, just present yourself and attend the Senate hearing),” Marcos said in an interview over Radio DZBB on Sunday, January 28.
“Sigurado naman na kikilalanin ko kayo at pagsasalitain (I’m very much there to recognize you and allow you to speak),” the senator assured.
For her part, Marcos said her committee is ready to present evidences on the allegations of bribery surrounding the signature campaign drive.
Romualdez had earlier denied he is behind the renewed push for Charter change via the People’s Initiative (PI) mode and sought amendments to the 1987 Constitution with both houses of Congress voting jointly.
Marcos has also said that her cousin is behind the alleged P20-million allocations for congressional districts to push for the PI drive.
“Like I said, kalma. Relax lang muna at, masyado silang defensive. Masyado silang deny to death. Martes pa naman yung ating hearing, at sabi ko nga lahat ng gustong magsalita ay kumbidado naman (Like I said, they should be calm. Just relax, they are too defensive. They have been denying to death. The hearing is on Tuesday and as I said, all those who want to talk are invited to attend),” she said.
Marcos said she is also confident that the committee can prove the bribery allegations in the upcoming hearing.
“Sigurado mapo-prove natin na nagkabayaran. Ang problema, sino yung nag utos (I’m sure we can prove that there was bribery. But the problem is knowing who ordered that this be done),” she pointed out.
The sister of President Marcos at the same time, denied challenging Romualdez, saying she can only hope that they would use the Senate hearing as a venue for the House lawmakers to clarify their stand on the Charter change issue.
“Thinking ko lang kung may pagkakataon na ipagtanggol ang sarili mo, eh di punta ka kesa nagagalit ka at nakikipag away. Insultuhan na yung nangyayari. Ang sagwa naman nun (My thinking that if you want a chance to defend yourself, then just come to the hearing than be angry and launching a tirade. What is happening is insulting. It’s not good),” she pointed out.
“Mas maige na mahinahon na pananalita at kumpletos rekados naman ang aking ebidensya (It’s much better to discuss this calmly, any way I have complete evidence),” Marcos stressed.
Last January 23, the Senate issued a strongly worded manifesto signed by all 24 senators, opposing the ongoing People’s Initiative (PI) as allegations of bribery and corruption, and illegal use of government programs and funds hounded the campaign.
Most of the senators, aside from Marcos, have pointed to Romualdez as the one behind the signature campaign, but the latter has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Also last January 26, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri rejected a suggestion of the House Speaker for the Senate to conduct its own People’s Initiative (PI) campaign.
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