Senators told: People’s initiative not cause for worry

MANILA, Philippines — Amid reported incidents of bribery, senators opposing congressmen’s support for amending the 1987 Constitution through a people’s initiative (PI) have nothing to worry about, according to Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers.

“We must remember that any and all proposed amendments from congressmen, senators and the people through people’s initiative will still have to be approved by the people in a plebiscite,” he said.

“The paranoia that the proposed amendments are self-serving is totally baseless. Let us disabuse our minds from these fears and respect the people’s will that will be reflected in the plebiscite, instead of fanning the flames of fear-mongering,” Barbers added.

Speaker Martin Romualdez earlier maintained that the House of Representatives did not participate nor initiate the signature campaign for a people’s initiative to change the Constitution.

On Jan. 10, Sen. Imee Marcos sought a Senate probe into the alleged P20-million payoffs and misrepresentations in the signature campaign.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) denied allegations by Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez that the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program was being used to secure signatures.

“Since its establishment, the DSWD and its social welfare programs, including AICS, have been protected against this kind of misuse with all agency personnel strictly adhering to existing rules and regulations in the conduct of payouts to our beneficiaries,” said DSWD spokesman Romel Lopez.

Cha-cha ‘long-sought’

Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. LRay Villafuerte claimed that the “breadth by which the PI being pursued by our people has prospered across the country over the past weeks underscore that public support for the long-sought makeover of the 1987 Constitution is both broad and deep.”

House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe defended Romualdez, noting that “certain senators opted to wield their words like daggers, aiming at the very heart of legislative camaraderie.”

Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda recently echoed the sentiments of Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, asserting that it would be good for the economy if the legislature could complete the process of Charter change soon.

Salceda said the people’s initiative is a mechanism that allows Filipinos to directly propose amendments to the Constitution, independent of congressional action.

Salceda maintained that the House support for a people’s initiative “does not equate to direct participation or control by the House in the people’s initiative process.”

“The role of the House, as envisioned by Speaker Romualdez, is to encourage public discourse and awareness regarding constitutional amendments, ensuring that citizens are well-informed and engaged in the democratic processes that shape the nation,” Salceda stressed.

“The House respects this process and believes in the capacity of the people to decide the best course for the nation’s constitutional future,” he added.

“Speaker Romualdez and the members of the House are committed to upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that the voice of the people is heard and respected,” Salceda said.

He reassured the public of the House’s respect for the people’s initiative as a citizen-driven process.”

Sen. Francis Tolentino also agreed with Balisacan that the impasse in Congress over Charter change could scare away investors.

Economic restrictions

In an interview over radio dwIZ yesterday, Marcos disagreed with Balisacan’s view that there is a need to “eliminate unnecessary restrictions on foreign investments” in the Constitution.

She said prohibitive economic provisions in the Constitution can be eased through legislation, earlier citing the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, Public Service Act and Foreign Investments Act as examples of legislation that address restrictions on foreign investments.

In a statement issued over the weekend, Balisacan expressed support for proposed amendments to the Constitution’s restrictive economic provisions.

While updating and revising certain economic restrictions would be needed, it is also important to address issues such as the ease of doing business, the high cost of certain inputs like energy and the predictability of policies, regulatory or otherwise, he noted.

House leaders criticize Zubiri

House leaders are criticizing Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri for jumping “to the conclusion of a constitutional crisis” instead of “embracing the spirit of collaboration put forth by Speaker Romualdez.”

“We need dialogue, not doomsday predictions,” Dalipe said.

House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. said the caution about a constitutional crisis only exacerbates an already contentious situation.

Quezon 2nd District Rep. David Suarez said “Speaker Romualdez’s gesture of collaboration should be met with an open mind and a willingness to explore common ground.”

“It is disappointing to witness a swift dismissal rather than an embrace of the opportunity for meaningful dialogue,” he added.

Zubiri earlier responded to Romualdez’s Jan. 25 letter affirming the House’s commitment to adopt the Senate’s Resolution of Both Houses 6, which aims to amend restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

“We believe that any legitimate people’s initiative must be genuinely led by the people. The Senate still maintains that this initiative, in its current form and how the signatures are being collected, is flawed and unconstitutional,” Zubiri said. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Louella Desiderio