In a press statement Congressman Edcel Lagman of the First District of Albay and Liberal Party President is questioning the sinister plot to amend the constitution by way of people’s initiative launched by congressmen belonging to the supermajority coalition.
It came to light after the municipal mayors of Albay were notified of a general meeting on January 5, 2024 by the League of Mayors of the province with undisclosed agenda but were informed that people’s initiative will be used as a mode to amend the Constitution outright given mobilization funds and forms to be signed.
They were instructed to secure at least 3 percent of the registered voters of the legislative district where the municipality belongs.
Lagman said 50% of the funds were already released to the municipal mayors and coordinators intended for the voters who will sign the petition. Each signatory will receive 100 pesos.
The movement is apparently nationwide as the necessary forms were already sent to congressmen belonging to various political parties.
He cited the Supreme Court in Santiago v. Comelec (G.R. 127325) ruled that while the Constitution allows amendments to be directly proposed by the people through initiative, there is no compliant implementing law for the purpose and in Lambino v. Comelec(G>R> 174153) the Supreme Court denied the petition for people’s initiative for various fatal defect.
Lagman is asking who is the mastermind of the campaign, what are the proposed amendments to be pursued, where do the funds come from, and why buy the voters initiative.