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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Dela Rosa urges Comelec: Help those who want to withdraw signatures from PI forms

Dela Rosa urges Comelec: Help those who want to withdraw signatures from PI forms

Published Feb 15, 2024 02:34 am

At A Glance

  • Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa appealed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to provide options to individuals who were "tricked" into signing signature forms for the controversial People's Initiative (PI) to amend the 1987 Constitution.

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa appealed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to provide options to individuals who were "tricked" into signing signature forms for the controversial People's Initiative (PI) to amend the 1987 Constitution.

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Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa seeks clarification from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on whether the people who signed the People’s Initiative (PI) forms can withdraw their signatures during Tuesday’s hearing, February 13, 2024, of the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation. (Senate PRIB photo)

He mentioned this during the continuation of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People's Participation's investigation into the alleged signature-buying for PI on Tuesday, Feb. 13, wherein Dela Rosa raised the concerns of Davaoeños who already signed the sheets.

"During our last hearing in Davao City, galit na galit ‘yung mga tao na nakapirma. Gustong-gusto nilang bawiin ‘yung pirma nila (those who signed were really furious. They really wanted to withdraw their signatures)," Dela Rosa told the Comelec officials.

He added that it is incumbent on their part as Comelec to act on it.  

Citing Comelec Chairman George Garcia's previous statement that there were no existing rules covering the withdrawal of signatures on PI efforts, Dela Rosa shared that the regional director cannot help his fellow Davaoeños in retracting their support for the said initiative.

Garcia explained that there will be no criminal liability since there were no existing rules with regard to the withdrawal of the signatures.

However, he said there might be administrative liabilities under Republic Act (RA) No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

To address this, Garcia told Dela Rosa that the Comelec will immediately issue guidelines to their local offices to help their election officers in handling cases of withdrawal of signatures.

The Mindanao lawmaker thanked Garcia for this commitment as he emphasized that giving false hopes that individuals could get social aid in exchange for their signatures is an "injustice on the part of the ordinary people".

"Please bilisan niyo ‘yan para mabigyan niyo ng guidelines ‘yung mga tao niyo doon sa baba dahil ‘yung mga tao naman niyo sa baba (Please hurry up and provide the guidelines to your people there since), they’re willing to do that kung may clearance sa’yo (if there is clearance from you)," Dela Rosa urged.

The Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People's Participation launched a series of hearings after Dela Rosa and several other senators questioned what they called the "politician's initiative".

 

Related Tags

People's Initiative 1987 Constitution Senator Ronald Bato dela Rosa Commission on Elections (Comelec) comelec chairman george erwin garcia
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