Dela Rosa maintains House leadership behind Cha-cha drive

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24) — Senator Bato dela Rosa on Wednesday maintained the leadership of the House of Representatives initiated moves to push for Charter change via people’s initiative.

Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source, Dela Rosa said a congressman from Mindanao told him lawmakers from the lower house were “following orders” to gather signatures of not only 3% but at least 20% of the total number of registered voters in their area.

“Sinong mag-uutos sa kanila kung hindi ang leader ng House?” Dela Rosa said.

[Translation: Who can give them orders if not the House leader?]

Under Republic Act No. 6735 or the “The Initiative and Referendum Act,” at least 12% of all registered voters must sign the petition to amend the Constitution.

At least 3% of registered voters in each legislative district must be represented in the petition.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez already denied claims that he ordered congressmen to gather signatures to support the move. He also said that people’s initiative is “a direct expression of the people’s will” and that the lower chamber “respects and supports the people’s initiative as an independent citizens driven process.” 

The People's Initiative for Reform and Modernization Action (PIRMA) earlier admitted that it began the signature campaign to push for Cha-cha via people's initiative. Lead convenor Noel Oñate said he spoke to Romualdez about this move and that the group is coordinating with congressmen.

READ: Will Cha-cha finally push through via people’s initiative? 

Asked for his reaction, Dela Rosa said: “Tell it to the marines. Baka iniisip pa rin nila sa sarili nila na hindi alam ng taong bayan na sila ang nasa likuran… Kaya nga tinatawag natin na hindi ‘yan people's initiative, that’s politicians’ initiative.”

[Translation: Tell it to the marines. Maybe they are still thinking the people do not know they are behind this. That's why we don't call it people's initiative, that’s politicians’ initiative.]

The senator said the denial means that there is a hidden agenda behind the move.