AdCom slams blocking of people’s initiative

The Charter Change Advocacy Commission (AdCom) yesterday denounced "orchestrated moves" by some local officials of Makati City to block the ongoing signature verification process for the people’s initiative being conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

"Apart from a few attempts to stop in midstream Comelec’s verification process of the signatures gathered for the people’s initiative, we deplore the backhand tactics of some local officials in Makati who intimidate their own residents campaigning for charter change," AdCom chairman Lito Monico Lorenzana said in a statement.

According to Lorenzana, being president of the United Opposition, it is understandable for Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay not to entertain the signature campaign on the people’s initiative in Makati, a known bailiwick of the political opposition.

"But when shrewd tactics and cheap tricks are used to coerce people and stifle their constitutional right to participate in a democratic exercise, ibang usapan na ‘yan. That’s already unacceptable," Lorenzana said.

He added that local executives in Makati should let their people participate in healthy public debates on Charter change, rather than preoccupying themselves in trying to abort any lawful exercise concerning the people’s initiative.

"Being elected by the people of Makati, local officials should acknowledge the supremacy of the sovereign will of the Filipino people, and let residents take an active and productive role in the people’s initiative to introduce reforms in the constitution," he said.

The AdCom said the local government of Makati passed City Resolution 2006-71 in April opposing any move to amend the Constitution by way of a people’s initiative.

Lorenzana likewise appealed to lawyers Ma. Lourdes Ugalino and Melanie Lagera — election officers for Makati District 1 and District 2, respectively — not to be intimidated by "sinister forces from city hall" and redeem the Comelec’s reputation by fast-tracking the verification of signatures.

Signatures gathered for the people’s initiative has reached 14 percent, exceeding the three percent per legislative district requirement of the total number of registered voters in the city’s first district, and close to 10 percent of the voters in the second district.

Makati’s 1st district has 207,304 registered voters, while District 2 has 172,765 registered voters, AdCom said.