Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) — The Makabayan bloc has filed a resolution seeking a probe into the alleged use of public funds to buy signatures for charter change or Cha-cha.
In a statement on Sunday, House Deputy Minority leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said they received reports of vote-buying for a people’s initiative, a Constitutional provision that would order the House of the Representatives and Senate to vote jointly, instead of separately, in amending the Constitution.
\”Ang ilan ay pinangakuan ng ayuda, at iba naman ay isinabay ang pagpapapirma sa gift giving noong kapasakuhan. May report din na pati mga PWD ay nililinlang para papirmahin sa Cha-cha,\” Castro said.
[Translation: Some were promised aid while others conducted a signature drive during the gift giving last Christmas. There is also a report that even persons with disability are tricked into signing.]
This prompted Castro, Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel and Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas to file House Resolution 1541.
\”Ano mang tanggi ng mga nagsusulong ng Cha-cha ay hindi rin natin masisisi ang ating mga kababayan na isipin na maaaring pondo ng bayan ang ginamit dito lalo pa at may bagong tulak ang administrasyong Marcos para baguhin ang Konstitusyon at mukhang koordinado at may timeline na sinusunod ang kanilang ginagawa,\” Castro said.
[Translation: No matter how those pushing for Cha-cha deny it, we cannot blame our countrymen for thinking that public funds may have been used here, especially since the Marcos administration has a new push to change the Constitution and it seems to be coordinated and follows a timeline.]
Makabayan coalition chairperson and former Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares stressed that even though he does not believe the signature campaign will succeed, individuals opposed to Cha-cha need to act swiftly.
\”Ang Cha-cha, very dangerous ito kasi it’s well-organized and well-funded. Kaya ang panawagan diyan sa mga tutol sa Cha-cha, mabilis dapat tayo mag respond ngayon kasi ang bilis ng kanilang timeline eh,\” Colmenares said in a public briefing.
\”At tingin namin imposibleng ma-achieve yan unless gumamit ka ng mga hocus-pocus,\” he added.
[Translation: This Cha-cha is very dangerous because it’s well-organized and well-funded. So, the call for those who oppose Cha-cha is that we must respond quickly now because they have a short timeline…We think it’s impossible to achieve unless there is hocus-pocus.]
Last week, presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos alleged that ₱20 million is being offered per district in several provinces to buy signatures for people’s initiative.
This comes after Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said that last Jan. 5, Ako Bicol coordinators released funds for a ₱100/voter campaign to change the charter via people’s initiative.
