COMPLICATED and unclear process of withdrawing signatures related to the People’s Initiative.
These are the reasons why representatives of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) received a sermon during Senate’s public hearing in Davao City.
During the public hearing of the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, led by Senator Imee Marcos, along with Senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, the Representatives of the COMELEC were reprimanded by the committee due to the alleged improper process of withdrawing signatures related to the People’s Initiative (PI).
The summons of the officials arose after one of the resource persons, Barangay Captain Rene Estorpe, asked how his constituents can withdraw their signatures, which were obtained through deception or misleading information related to the controversial PI.
The defense of the COMELEC officials is that they are still waiting for guidelines from their higher-ups, but the committee didn’t buy this alibi.
Instead Sen. Imee Marcos, who was the presiding officer of the said public hearing, questioned the complicated process, pointing out that it seemed unclear and lacked proper guidelines for those who wish to withdraw their signatures.
Meanwhile, as of now, the COMELEC has suspended all proceedings related to the PI including accepting signatures gathered from the different congressional districts all over the country.
