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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lift suspension on People's Initiative, Garbin tells Comelec 

Lift suspension on People's Initiative, Garbin tells Comelec 

Published Feb 19, 2024 01:41 am

At A Glance

  • Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. is prodding the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to pull the People's Initiative (PI) for Charter change (Cha-cha) out of the freezer. 
  • Garbin is a former chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments.

That Charter contains restrictive economic provisions is no longer a debate topic - GarbinFormer Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr.

A former chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments is prodding the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to pull the People’s Initiative (PI) for Charter change (Cha-cha) out of the freezer.

"I now implore the Comelec to lift the suspension immediately and respect the inherent and Constitutional right of the people to directly propose amendments to the Constitution," former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr.

The poll body suspended all processes related to PI--including the signature drive--late last month amid the Senate's announcement that it would probe alleged anomalies of the movement.

But Garbin says it's time for Comelec to "listen to the people".

"As for the [PI], the 8 million voters who already signed the petition demand that their voices be heard and be given due process. This number is still on the rise but was temporarily halted by the fake exposés and witch hunts in the guise of inquiry in aid of legislation. All of the allegations were already debunked!" he said.

The Senator Imee Marcos-chaired Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation have been conducting the investigation on PI.

According to Garbin, the Senate probe has proven nothing in terms of the negative allegations about PI, particularly the bribery aspect.

"The [Senator Imee Marcos committee], fails to appreciate this simple fact. The very individuals which the committee handpicked and accepted as resource persons to aid their inquiry all replied that there was none. There was no pay out, no promise, no deception!" Garbin said.

"All indicators point to the validity and legitimacy of the People’s Initiative to amend the Constitution. All point to the fact that the people at the grass root level willingly and voluntarily signed the signature sheet with a desire to amend the 1987 Constitution," he further said.

Related Tags

Charter change People’s Initiative Alfredo Garbin
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