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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Want to withdraw your PI signature? Comelec issues retraction form

Want to withdraw your PI signature? Comelec issues retraction form

Published Feb 15, 2024 09:04 am

At A Glance

  • The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has released a form for individuals who wish to withdraw their signatures from the controversial People's Initiative (PI) campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has released a form for individuals who wish to withdraw their signatures from the controversial People's Initiative (PI) campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution.

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Withdrawal Form of Signature in Signature Sheets/Petition for People's Initiative. (Photo from Comelec Facebook page)



In accordance with Memorandum No. 240187, the poll body released the "Withdrawal Form of Signature in Signature Sheets/Petition for People's Initiative".

In a post, Comelec said that such form was only for the purpose of recording those who have manifested their intention to withdraw their signatures. It should not be taken as a "formal action" on the matter.

"Comelec's acceptance of withdrawal forms is for recording purposes only and shall not be construed as formal action by the Commission on the signature sheets/petition for People's Initiative," the poll body said.

Comelec says the forms are available in the Offices of Election Officers (OEOs) nationwide. Accomplished forms can be submitted to the same office.

Last Jan. 29, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia announced that the Commission En Banc has decided unanimously to suspend indefinitely all proceedings concerning the PI as a means to amend the 1987 Constitution.

"We honestly believe, base po sa aming initial assessment na kinakailangan namin na i-review, enhance, dagdagan yung aming existing Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) concerning PI dahil sa ating palagay may mga bagay po doon na kulang at wala sa ating guidelines (We honestly believe, based on our initial assessment that we have to review, enhance, or add to the existing IRR concerning PI because we think that there are something that is lacking in the guidelines)," Garcia explained. 

"Katulad halimbawa yung rules sa mga withdrawal, yung rules sa mga opposition, and yung rules sa mga notice na sa bandang huli kailangan po ito upang maiwasan ang problema, kaguluhan, at di pagkakaunawaan doon sa interpretasyon sa mga probisyon ng ating rules (Like for example our rules on withdrawal, our rules on opposition, and the rules on notices that in the end we need to avoid problems, confusion, and misunderstandings when it comes to the interpretation of the provisions of our rules)," he added.

He says the lack of clear directives regarding these concerns is what pushed Comelec to suspend its PI proceedings.

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, Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa appealed to Comelec to provide options to individuals who were "tricked" into signing signature forms for the controversial PI.


Dela Rosa raised the concerns of Davaoeños who already signed the sheets.

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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