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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos unsure if People's Initiative remains an option for Charter change

Marcos unsure if People's Initiative remains an option for Charter change

Published Jan 30, 2024 01:12 pm

President Marcos said he does not know if People's Initiative remains an option in amending the Constitution.

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President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Ali Vicoy)

In an interview on the sidelines of his state visit in Vietnam on Tuesday, Jan. 30, Marcos said they have not made any decisions yet regarding the People's Initiative, but he does not know “if that is still one of the options that remains for us."

“So the details have not yet been decided upon. That is precisely what we will be working on,” the President said about how he intends to resolve the issues regarding the People’s Initiative.

He disclosed that he is working with allies on the best mode to amend the Charter by particularly asking the views of legal luminaries.

"That’s why we are asking mga former Justices, si Chief Luke (Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin)… our legal counsel and our soon to be centenarian na legal counsel na si Mang JFPE (Juan Ponce Enrile) at yung mga constitutionalist ay tinatanong natin. Ano sa palagay ninyo ang pinakatamang gawin (and the constitutionalists. What is the best way to do it in their opinion),”Marcos said.

In order to resolve the clash between the two Houses of Congress over the People's Initiative, the President said they have been in continuous discussion with lawmakers in recent days.

“In fact, before I left, I met with our legal luminaries and tried to find a way dahil ‘yan naman talaga ang aabutin nila are the economic provisions that I have been this talking for many, many years already,” he said.

Marcos said he asked congressional leaders and some of the best constitutional minds to come up with a simpler solution that does not cause so much controversy.

He added that the usual conflict between the House of Representatives and the Senate is whether to vote together or separately.

“Now there’s advice that we are getting: the best analysis and interpretation that we have is that the legislature is of bicameral nature and therefore that implies that they will vote separately,” Marcos said.

“So, how that will be done now is what we are trying to figure out, how will it be done so that both Houses’ role is in this bicameral system is preserved and that is what we are working right now,” he stressed.

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People's Initiative Charter change President Marcos
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