Liga prexy bids for more talks, discussion on people's initiative
Proponents for the Charter Change (cha-cha) particularly government-backed People's Initiative (PI) may have reached and gone beyond its target yet questions now abound on whether the signatories actually understood what they were signing for.
In fact, there may be a need to explain anew the PI option for cha-cha with majority of barangay officials in Iloilo's 1,721 barangays now expressing disappointment and confusion over the matter.
While signatures were authentic, Board Member Angelo Briones, Provincial Liga ng mga Barangay president said, a growing sentiment abound within the Liga on the signatories' understanding (or lack of it) of the PI cause.
In an interview, Briones told The News Today (TNT) most of the people affixed their signatures thinking they were merely signing attendance sheets of the consultation called. Others said their signatures were asked after PhilHealth cards were distributed.
"There is definitely a need to further explain the cha-cha and People's Initiative to the people. Many in the Liga felt that they were deceived into it," Briones added. "And most of us are also in the agreement that any change at this time is not through People's Initiative because we are pushing for major ammendments in our Constitution."
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is reportedly set to validate more than 8 million signatures of the PI advocates with proponents still on the rounds throughout the country for cha-cha talks and discussions.
In Iloilo, recent advocacy was linked up with provincial officials in a forum attended anew by local chief executives.
A local group opposed to charter change earlier asked the Court to stop the Comelec from verifying the gathered signatures but said plea was junked by the Court for lack of jurisdiction.
The Catholic Church through the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) also expressed strong opposition to the proposal of changing the Constitution through people's initiative.