THE House of Representative (HOR) reportedly has no intentions of halting the signature collection for the People’s Initiative (PI), as confirmed by Albay Representative and Ways and Means Panel Chairman Joey Salceda.
Despite COMELEC’s suspension of all processes related to the PI, Salceda emphasized the House’s strong commitment to the initiative.
“We will ensure to persuade and increase the number of signatures,” stated Representative Joey Salceda.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is aware of the House of Representatives’ continued pursuit of its PI agenda, even in light of the Executive Branch’s decision for the Senate to lead the Charter Change.
“We don’t know yet. We haven’t made those decisions yet. But I think as of now, the People’s Initiative is—they’re continuing… but it is not–I don’t know if that is still one of the options that remains for us,” said President Ferdinand Marcos.
Salceda underscored that COMELEC has no authority to halt the PI, responding negatively when asked if they would turn to the Supreme Court to reverse or suspend COMELEC’s decision.
“No, because they have no right to delay. You cannot impeach the power of the people,” Salceda stated.
The House contends that the Senate misunderstands their intention to amend the Economic Restrictions of the 1987 Constitution. They argue that the Lower House has made over 350 attempts to collaborate with their Senate counterparts for Cha-cha, but it consistently ends up dead on arrival in the Senate.
