Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 14) — Senator Robinhood Padilla, who chairs the upper chamber’s committee on constitutional amendments, said the House of Representatives’ plan to revive talks on charter change has “no chance” in the Senate.
But Padilla, who wants political and economic changes, backs amending the 1987 Constitution through a people’s initiative, an option that House solons are eyeing.
Wala ‘yan chance dito. Kaya ang sinasabi ng HOR mag-people’s initiative,” he said.Dadalhin natin sa taumbayan sa bawat distrito. Pag nakakuha tayo 12% sa voting population ng PH puwede ‘yan isama ng Comelec sa election kung ira-ratify natin,” he added.[Translation: It has no chance here. That’s why the HOR is saying they would pursue people’s initiative. We will bring it to our countrymen in every district. If we secure 12% of the voting population in the Philippines, Comelec can include that in the election for ratification.]
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A people’s initiative is one of the three ways to amend the Constitution, aside from constitutional convention and constituent assembly.
Under Republic Act 6735, or the Initiative and Referendum Act, at least 12% of all registered voters must sign the petition to amend the Constitution. At least 3% of all registered voters in each legislative district must be represented in the petition.
Under Article 4, Section 21 of R.A. 6735, “The amount necessary to defray the cost of the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the Contingent Fund in the General Appropriations Act of the current year. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the full implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.”Padilla said government funds will not be used in launching a people’s initiative, instead their respective political parties must shell out the budget to push for that route.He also said the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has long been doing information drive, including in schools.The senator said PDP-Laban targets to lead a “full blast” information campaign in 2024, a year before the midterm elections.
“Naniniwala ako ‘pag ang mga congressman sinuportahan ang PI (people’s initiative), kasi distrito nila ‘yan, madali ito. ‘Yun lang kailangan natin. ‘Pag PI, hindi natin kailangan ng Kongreso. Diretso ‘yan sa Comelec ‘pag nakuha ang 12% population vote, kasama ‘yan sa balota 2025, yes or no. Kung hintayin natin ang Congress, hindi mangyayari,” he said.
