Sara: Safeguard the Constitution
Published on: Sunday, January 21, 2024
By: GMA News
'My fellow Filipinos, let’s also remember that exchanging signatures for bribes has serious consequences on our lives, freedom and future' – Vice President Sara Duterte
MANILA: Rejecting the people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution is “to guard the Constitution,” Vice President Sara Duterte said yesterday, as she joined the pushback against the move seen as “tainted” by reports of bribery by its proponents.
“My fellow Filipinos, the ‘Money in exchange for signatures for the People’s Initiative’ continues daily in Davao City and other parts of the country. This is a reflection of the proclivity of politicians to buy votes during elections,” Duterte said in a statement.
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She issued the statement a week after her older brother Paolo, who is Davao City representative, expressed his opposition to the people’s initiative, which aims to gather the signatures of at least 12 percent of registered voters per legislative district, to set into motion amendments to the Constitution.
“This is how they take advantage of the dire situation of poor Filipinos and violate their right to decide freely, without any fear or influence from money,” the Vice President said.
“For Filipinos, let’s also remember that exchanging signatures for bribes has serious consequences on our lives, freedom and future,” she added.
She also scored the proponents of the people’s initiative efforts and Charter change proponents in general, saying amending the Constitution should be the least of their worries amid the prevalence of poverty as well as uncertainties in peace and order.
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“I hope we will first discuss the welfare of Filipinos rather than allowing foreigners into our country. Let’s put the Philippines first. Let’s take care of our Constitution,” she added.
Opponents of the people’s initiative can also move to discredit the signatures if it is proven that voters were given P100 cash or social welfare assistance in exchange for their participation.
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Comelec Chairman George Garcia, meanwhile, raised the possibility that the drive for a people’s initiative might get in the way of resumption of voter registration for the 2025 polls.
He said there is a high chance that voter registration, which is set to resume on Feb. 12, will have to be suspended in order to give way to a plebiscite for the initiative.
People’s initiative proponents are reportedly looking at July as the possible date for a plebiscite to amend the 1987 Constitution.
The Comelec is preparing for voter registration, which ends on Sept. 30.
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