Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 10) — Senator Imee Marcos has filed a resolution seeking for a Senate inquiry into the alleged use of bribery in signing a petition to amend the 1987 Constitution through a people’s initiative.
Marcos earlier claimed that around ₱20 million was being offered per district to buy voters’ signatures needed to push for Charter change (Cha-cha).
“These reported pay-offs in the signature campaign for a People’s Initiative to amend the Constitution and the blatant manner by which ordinary citizens, particularly those in need of government aid, are being misled and exploited, are unconscionable acts of corruption which are inimical to the very concept of democracy,” according to Senate Resolution No. 902 filed on Jan. 10.
“There is a need to put a stop to these corrupt activities and ensure that any petition for a People’s Initiative to amend the Constitution is filed with the full consent, and free will of the people,” it added.
Sen. Marcos’s allegation came after Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman previously claimed that the Ako Bicol party-list released funds intended to bribe voters into signing the petition for P100 each.
But former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. denied the accusations.
The 1987 Constitution provides for three modes of Charter change: a constitutional convention, convening the House and Senate into a constituent assembly, and people’s initiative.
Speaker Martin Romualdez previously said that the House of Representatives is aiming to shift its focus again on the proposed Cha-cha in 2024.
