Invalidate ‘paid’ People’s Initiative signature: Marcos

PAGADIAN CITY – While efforts are underway to revisit the economic provisions of 1987 Constitution and other laws to make the Philippines more investment-friendly, each congressional district must gather the signatures of at least 3 percent of its registered voters in order for a People’s Initiative to be considered substantial.

But President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said signatures that had been obtained in exchange for money should be invalidated by the Commission of Elections (COMELEC).

“Well, pagkabinayaran ‘yung signature, hindi tatanggapin ng COMELEC ‘yun. So walang magandang mangyayari,” he told reporters. “So, ang pagkakaalam ko hindi naman, wala namang ganoon. Ang sinasabi hindi bayaran ng cash, kundi nangangako ng kung anuanong benefits. Tinitignan namin, sabi ko, “itinanong ko sa ating legislation, totoo ba ‘yan?”

Marcos also addressed suggestions that government agencies suspend their social services programs in order not to be unduly used in the initiative saying that the government cannot withhold or pause the implementation of any of its services as there are many Filipinos needing assistance.

“Hindi naman nagbago yung mga release natin, constant pa din. Hindi naman maganda din ‘yun kasi may mga nangangailangan talaga,” he said. “We just let COMELEC do their job and their work to validate the signature. And if there’s suspicion na may ganoon nga ay hindi talaga mabibilang ang mga signature na ‘yun.”

Marcos pointed out that the existing economic provisions are hindering potential investors from proceeding with their operations in the country.

“We’re just beginning to study because we keep talking about economic provisions that are getting in the way with some of the potential investors that we are trying to bring to the Philippines,” he said.

“What we are looking at here is the opportunity cost of those who would like to invest here but somehow the laws that derived from the Constitution when it comes to the economic provisions do not allow them to or make it non-viable for them,” he added.

Marcos said the study aims to evaluate ways to further boost investments. “My primary interest is to try and make our country an investment-friendly place,” he said. “That’s why the study is really not about the Constitution. It’s about what we need to do — what do we need to change so that these potential investors will in fact come to the Philippines.” (Mindanao Examiner)