Comelec: Duped voters can take back signatures for Cha-cha drive

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 18) — Voters have the right to withdraw their signatures for the campaign to push for Charter change (Cha-cha) via people’s initiative if they feel that they were tricked or forced to sign, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Thursday.

“You could go to our election officers at sumpaan niyo po ‘yung inyong salaysay na binabawi niyo, for whatever reason, ‘yung inyong pirma kung kayo man ay nalinlang o napuwersa,” Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco told CNN Philippines’ The Source.

[Translation: You could go to our election officers and swear in your statement that you are retracting, for whatever reason, your signature if you were tricked or forced.]

Noel Oñate, lead convenor of People’s Initiative for Reform Modernization and Action (PIRMA), earlier told CNN Philippines that the group has started a signature campaign to push for charter change.

However, some voters who signed admitted that they do not have any knowledge about the 1987 Constitution. Some also said they were offered cash assistance in exchange for signing the form.

“Wala kaming alam nun basta nag-ano lang kami, nag-pirma lang. Nagulat nga rin ako eh bakit pirma, ano ito para sa ayuda ba ito? Sabi nila oo raw tapos kinabukasan nalaman namin hindi pala ayuda ‘yun,” said Cristi Angor, one of the people who signed the form.

[Translation: We don’t know anything about it, we just signed it. I was also shocked, I asked what the signature is for, is it for financial assistance? They said yes then the next day we found out it was not for assistance.]

Laudiangco emphasized that it is important for those who want to withdraw their signature to personally file their sworn statement or complaint to allow the Comelec to remove their name and signature on the list. This can be done at any time while the poll body is processing and verifying the signature submitted to them.

READ: Comelec says accepting signature forms for cha-cha a ministerial duty, explains process

He also said the Comelec can file for a motu proprio investigation as long as there is a factual basis.

PIRMA has denied any involvement in the alleged payoffs and use of government programs to entice voters to support their signature drive for Cha-cha.