By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — Neri Colmenares, the chairperson of Bayan Muna, has confirmed receiving reports about an ongoing signature campaign aimed at amending the Constitution.

During a radio interview on Wednesday (January 10, 2023), the former lawmaker stated that their members had provided information indicating a signing process taking place in various barangays across the country.

“We received reports that a signing is currently taking place… We inquired with our Bayan Muna members, and they reached out, with some sending photos and information about the signature campaign in their respective barangays,” Colmenares explained.

He further revealed that assistance is being utilized to persuade individuals to support the Charter change. “We received a video stating that people should sign for the amendment of the Constitution, claiming that it is to enact AICS and TUPAD, aids for the public,” Colmenares added.

However, Bayan Muna cannot confirm whether these individuals are being remunerated for their signatures.

Colmenares cautioned Filipinos, urging them to oppose Cha-cha due to its potential impact on the country. “The public should fear Charter change because there are proposals for term extensions, splitting the term of the president, congressman, and local officials, except for barangay and the Senate. There are also proposals to dilute human rights and open the economy to foreigners,” he emphasized.

(el Amigo/MNM)

Image Courtesy of: Benjie Cuaresma

BAYAN Muna officials led by Neri Colmerares, BM Rep. Isagani Zarate, and Ferdinand Gaite, lodged a petition on Monday at the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the full implementation of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF).

They submitted their request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Republic Act 11954, which established the Maharlika Investment Fund Act of 2023.

President Bongbong Marcos Jr. signed RA 11954 into law in July 2023, despite facing strong opposition from lawmakers, business groups, economists, and the academic community.

The attached images feature the Bayan Muna officials as they presented their petition to the Supreme Court on Padre Faura St. in Ermita, Manila.

(Benjie Cuaresma/ai/mnm)