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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Comelec ready to hold Cha-cha plebiscite whether in sync or not with 2025 polls

Comelec ready to hold Cha-cha plebiscite whether in sync or not with 2025 polls

Published Feb 29, 2024 08:33 am

At A Glance

  • The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is prepared to carry out the Charter change (Cha-cha) plebiscite whether it be held separately from--or jointly with--the 2025 midterm elections. 

IMG-a1a4aef20880b553beae69355eda696d-V.jpgComelec Chairman George Garcia (PPAB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is prepared to carry out the Charter change (Cha-cha) plebiscite whether it be held separately from--or jointly with--the 2025 midterm elections. 

Comelec Chairman George Garcia made this assurance during his visit Thursday, Feb. 29 at the House of Representatives where the Comelec’s Register Anywhere Program (RAP) is ongoing. 

“Kami po naman kung anong ipag-uutos talaga. Yun ang katotohanan. Kung anong sabihin ng Kongreso at mapagkasunduan ng Senate at House na dapat isabay (ang plebiscite at midterm elections ay) handang handa po ang Comelec. Yun po, walang gastos na dagdag yun. Sapagkat pahahabain lang ng konti yung balota," he said. 

(We just do what we're ordered to do. That's the truth. Whatever Congress says, if the House and the Senate decide to hold the plebiscite and midterm polls together then the Comelec is ready. That wouldn't entail additional costs. The ballot would just be made longer.)

"Kaya lang ang sabi din po natin magandang mapag-aralan din sapagkat maganda rin na doon lang naka-focus itong mga kababayan natin sa issue ng pagbabago sa Saligang Batas. Saligang Batas kasi yan eh di naman ordinaryong batas din yan. Therefore, nandun din ang legal issue na huwag isabay," explained Garcia. 

(But we also think that it's good to study it first because it's also good for our countrymen to focus on the topic of amending the Constitution. That's the Constitution, it's not an ordinary law. Therefore, there's also the legal issue for non-synchronization.)

"Basta kami handang handa po ang inyong Komisyon whether separate siya o isabay, handa po kaming isagawa ang plebisito,” the Comelec chief underscored.

(At any rate, the commission is ready to hold it whether separately or jointly, we are ready to hold the plebiscite.) 

ALSO READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/28/synchronized-cha-cha-plebiscite-2025-polls-house-members-take-it-in-stride

 

Both chambers of Congress--the House and the Senate--are currently deliberating on similar resolutions as a precursor to the plebiscite, which would ratify the proposed amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. 

Garcia declined to comment on these discussions in the legislature. “Maari pong meron akong personal opinion pero hindi po ako makapagbibigay dahil pulitikal po masyado yan and it is best left to the discretion and wisdom of our Congress." 

(I may have a personal opinion but I cannot give it since the subject is too political.)
 

The plebiscite, if done on its own, can cost the government P13 billion.

Related Tags

plebiscite Charter change George Garcia Comelec
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