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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Imee Marcos probe on PI a 'circus, waste of time', says these 2 solons 

Imee Marcos probe on PI a 'circus, waste of time', says these 2 solons 

Published Jan 30, 2024 10:38 am

At A Glance

  • Quezon 2nd district Rep. David "Jay-jay" Suarez and Bataan 1st district Rep. Geraldine Roman both have misgivings with the Senate investigation on the People's Initiative movement.
  • The Senate probe was presided over by Senator Imee Marcos in her capacity as chairperson of the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People's Participation. 

20240130_182429.jpgQuezon 2nd district Rep. David "Jay-jay" Suarez (left), Bataan 1st district Rep. Geraldine Roman (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

A "circus" and a "waste of time". 

That's how House leaders Quezon 2nd district Rep. David 'Jay-jay' Suarez and Bataan 1st district Rep. Geraldine Roman described the Senate's investigation on the People’s Initiative (PI) movement Tuesday, Jan. 30. 

"Yes, it's a circus," Suarez, a deputy speaker in the House of Representatives, said in a press briefing the same day.

"I mean, it's [moot and] academic. Nag-rule na yung Comelec (Commission on Elections) kahapon en banc, suspended na muna yung signatures, So technically, yung [PI] wala na yun," he said. 

(The Comelec en banc had already ruled yesterday, the collection of signatures for PI had been suspended. So technically, the PI is gone.) 

Senator Imee Marcos presided over the Senate probe in her capacity as chairperson of the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation. 

"So I mean, why have a hearing?...let's move forward with the Senate bill, let's move forward with the House resolution, just so that we can push the discussion faster," Suarez said, referring to the Senate's very own Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.6. 

Roman, chairperson of the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality, aired similar misgivings over the Senate investigation on the PI

"It's hard to read the good senator's [Imee Marcos] intentions, but my personal opinion is that it is a waste of time. It's moot and academic because the committee has already stated its position for the PI to stop," she said. 

"So I think we would rather, well, it would be better if the Senate focuses its time and attention to RBH No.6, if they're really intent and sincere to push for constitutional defense," noted Roman. 

Suarez--pointing to the Senate's penchant for blocking moves to amend the Constitution--says he hopes the particular probe isn't another excuse for senators to drag their feet on the Cha-cha efforts. 

"I hope it's not a political strategy that they're employing to delay discussion on charter amendments, coming up with all sorts of reasons again."

 

Related Tags

Charter change People’s Initiative imee marcos david Jay-jay suarez Geraldine Roman
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