By Junex Doronio
MANILA — It’s all over but the shouting, as Albay Rep. Joey Salceda on Wednesday (24 Jan 2024) claimed that the people’s initiative (PI) drive has already gathered enough signatures to initiate an amendment to the 1987 Constitution despite strong opposition by the entire Senate.
“Why don’t we listen to the people?” Salceda said.
He pointed out that the people have spoken and the Senate has to respect their decision.
“Yes, definitely as of last night (Tuesday, January 23), we’ve reached the 12.1 [percent] threshold,” Salceda told reporters.
He noted that the 1987 Constitution requires a “people’s initiative” to amend the Charter to have the signatures of at least 12 percent of voters nationwide and 3 percent of voters in each of the 254 legislative districts.
Salceda underscored that the next step now is filing the petition and requesting the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to validate the signatures.
“The Constitution is alive, buhay na buhay po ang Constitution. Kung akala nila ganoon kahirap yung paghanap nung 12 percent, may mga distrito tulad ng distrito ko 20 percent. May mga 30 percent,” the Albay lawmaker said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
