22 February 2006
Nationwide people’s initiative on Cha-cha now rolling – JDV
THE congressional maneuver for a People’s Initiative to secure nationwide endorsement for the amendment of the present Constitution to ‘over-ride’ any Senate objection to it is now rolling in various parts of the country till the middle part of March, according to House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr.
De Venecia said the initiative will be undertaken by the people themselves through their respective associations, from the ranks of farmers, civic and religious leaders and members, veterans, consumers of electric cooperatives, women, students, professionals and others.
The people’s initiative aims to secure the signatures of at least 12 percent of all the voters in the country.
De Venecia however told newsmen here that as of now, he expects the movement to be backed up by from 30 to 35 percent of all the voters.
The People’s Initiative is people’s direct action towards amending the constitution, especially now that there is a gridlock between the executive and legislative, paralysis between Senate and Malacañang and paralysis between the Senate and the House, de Venecia said.
“How can you amend the constitution with that kind of paralysis? ”, he asked as he stressed that the present fundamental law of the land authorizes the people to amend the Constitution.
He enumerated the three lawful modes of amending the Constitution;, one by Constitutional Convention, another thru an act of Congress and third, by People’s Initiative by the people themselves.
The result of the People’s Initiative will be submitted to the Commission on Elections. Simultaneously, he said, the Committee on Constitutional Amendments in the House of Representatives headed by Congressman Constantino Jaraula will initiate its own action of amending the Constitution by gathering 195 signatures representing three-fourths of all the members of the Senate and the House.
De Venecia announced that they already have the nod of 175 legislators to date and need only 20 more in order to muster the needed 195 to reach the desired number.
He explained that in a People’s Initiative, the people themselves produce their own forms to be signed by the people.
This form adopted the provisions approved by the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments of the House and the provisions recommended by the Consultative Commission as the legal and political basis to propose amendments to the Constitution.
He clarified that the charter change seeks to abolish not only the Senate but also the House of Representatives but the members of the two chambers are given a chance to run in the parliament.
De Venecia said he expects the opposition to challenge or question the results of the People’s Initiative before the Commisison on Elections and the Supreme Court.
“We encourage the opposition to do it,” he said, in supreme confidence.
De Venecia said the initiative will be undertaken by the people themselves through their respective associations, from the ranks of farmers, civic and religious leaders and members, veterans, consumers of electric cooperatives, women, students, professionals and others.
The people’s initiative aims to secure the signatures of at least 12 percent of all the voters in the country.
De Venecia however told newsmen here that as of now, he expects the movement to be backed up by from 30 to 35 percent of all the voters.
The People’s Initiative is people’s direct action towards amending the constitution, especially now that there is a gridlock between the executive and legislative, paralysis between Senate and Malacañang and paralysis between the Senate and the House, de Venecia said.
“How can you amend the constitution with that kind of paralysis? ”, he asked as he stressed that the present fundamental law of the land authorizes the people to amend the Constitution.
He enumerated the three lawful modes of amending the Constitution;, one by Constitutional Convention, another thru an act of Congress and third, by People’s Initiative by the people themselves.
The result of the People’s Initiative will be submitted to the Commission on Elections. Simultaneously, he said, the Committee on Constitutional Amendments in the House of Representatives headed by Congressman Constantino Jaraula will initiate its own action of amending the Constitution by gathering 195 signatures representing three-fourths of all the members of the Senate and the House.
De Venecia announced that they already have the nod of 175 legislators to date and need only 20 more in order to muster the needed 195 to reach the desired number.
He explained that in a People’s Initiative, the people themselves produce their own forms to be signed by the people.
This form adopted the provisions approved by the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments of the House and the provisions recommended by the Consultative Commission as the legal and political basis to propose amendments to the Constitution.
He clarified that the charter change seeks to abolish not only the Senate but also the House of Representatives but the members of the two chambers are given a chance to run in the parliament.
De Venecia said he expects the opposition to challenge or question the results of the People’s Initiative before the Commisison on Elections and the Supreme Court.
“We encourage the opposition to do it,” he said, in supreme confidence.
