Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda says the People’s Initiative (PI) for Charter change (Cha-cha) has been shelved, but can still be revived. 

Salceda, a vocal advocate for the revision of the restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, made this admission in a press briefing on Monday, Feb. 12. 

He noted that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) suspended late last month all activities linked to the PI, including the gathering and submission of signatures. This effectively shelved the movement. 

"That should be cleared to them (senators) because that is the instruction of the President. Kumbaga, ano ba yung tawag dun? Cryogenics, bubuhayin lang namin kung kailangan," said Salceda, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means. 

(In other worlds, what do you call it? It's under the state of cryogenics, we will just revive it if needed.) 

Following the PI's suspension, pro-Cha-cha solons like Salceda have implored their senator-colleagues to hasten the passage of Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.6. 

"The instruction of the President is let the Senate do its work on RBH No.06," Salceda said, as he sounded off on President Marcos' remarks during last Thursday's Constitution Day event ìn Makati City. 

For over three decades now, the House of Representatives has been seeking constitutional reform. However, practically all measures they have sent to the Senate for this purpose have gone nowhere due to the chamber’s reluctant toward Cha-cha. 

The PI, which is supposed to be a purely civilian endeavor, could change the status quo. 

"I think sapat na yon para sa Senado na (I think it's enough for the Senate that) there is no sword of Damocles over them," Salceda said, referring to the PI's suspension. 

But PI could easily come back, based on his description. 

"So effectively wala ng PI (There is no PI) for now. So, it's in a state of cryogenics in the cemetery," he said.