PIRMA 'saddened' by Senate's manifesto rejecting signature drive for Cha-cha

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24) — The group behind the signature campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution through people's initiative (PI) sees the Senate's manifesto as a way to block the "people's will."

At the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum on Wednesday, People's Initiative for Reform, Modernization and Action (PIRMA) lead convenor Noel Oñate was asked about the decision of 24 senators to reject the PI.

"Nakalulungkot dahil parang pinipigilan ng Senado ang direct participation ng ating bayan," he said. "Parang hinahadlangan ng Senado ang people's will,"

[Translation: It's saddening because the Senate seems to be preventing the direct participation of our people... It's like the Senate is blocking the people's will.]

Senators on Tuesday issued a manifesto against the PI, warning of a no-election scenario and amendments that are seen to "erode the nation as we know it."

READ: Senate releases manifesto vs 'sinister' people's initiative

Since the signature drive was launched earlier this month, lawmakers raised their concerns about how fast the campaign was progressing. Some solons even claimed that millions of funds were provided to buy voter's signatures.

Oñate maintained that it was the Filipinos' intention to make changes in the Constitution, reiterating the movement was free from any bribery.

He said the drive already gained more than two million signatures. In two to three months, the group expects to complete the number of required signatures.