Davao witnesses link PBA party-list workers to ‘deceptive’ Cha-Cha initiative
Witnesses say those who gathered signatures promised them government aid through the labor and social welfare departments.....»»
FPRRD opposes disguised Charter change initiative
Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte has vehemently opposed the disguised People’s Initiative for Charter change, denouncing the cash-for-signature campaign as repugnant and a disgraceful act during a YouTube interview with Banateros Brothers on January 22, 2024. Duterte emphasized his disapproval of the initiative, urging for it to be halted, particularly criticizing the payment of individuals to sign the documents. He warned that such actions could lead to a new Constitution that might destroy the nation and open avenues for political abuses. Duterte stressed the importance of democracy in the Philippines, asserting that those seeking to remain in power should go through the electoral process. He highlighted that a well-performing and non-corrupt individual would retain power, while those with poor performance would be ousted through the electoral process. Expressing satisfaction with the current Constitution, Duterte argued that it has contributed to stability, reducing conflicts with groups like the New People's Army (NPA). He strongly advised against meddling with the Constitution, cautioning that it would only bring trouble to the country. Duterte pledged active opposition to the initiative, stating that he would campaign against it. Additionally, residents of Calinan District, Vice President Sara Duterte, and Representatives Isidro Ungab and Paolo Pulong Duterte have also voiced opposition to the People's Initiative for Charter Change. Margarita Atty. Migs Nograles, the representative of the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist, alleged to have started the cha-cha signature campaign, has yet to issue an official statement on the matter as of the latest update. Related stories include the denouncement of alleged `vote buying’ in signing the petition for Cha-cha by Davao City lawmakers, Vice President Duterte's condemnation of the cash-for-signature drive, and a prayer rally against PI’s Cha-cha on Jan 28......»»
Brgy officials tag PBA party-list staff of “deception” in Cha-cha initiative
Barangay officials in Davao City testified in a Senate inquiry here on Friday, February 2, that workers of the Davao-based Puwersa ng Bayaning Arleta (PBA) conducted the signature campaign for charter change through deceptive means such as promising cash-aid......»»
95 areas in Davao Region still grapple with flooding
Ninety-five areas in the Davao Region continue to grapple with flooding, as reported by the Office of Civil Defense-Davao Region (OCD-Davao). Davao del Norte has the highest number of flooded areas, with 64 barangays affected, followed by Davao Oriental with 22, and Davao de Oro with nine. The region has also experienced over 50 landslides, with Davao de Oro leading with 44 incidents and eight in Davao Oriental. Tragically, a significant landslide in Monkayo, Davao de Oro resulted in nine confirmed deaths, one critical injury, and four individuals still under search and rescue operations. Davao City also recorded casualties due to heavy rains. The adverse weather conditions have affected thousands of individuals and displaced over 4,000 families in evacuation centers. The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) has provided assistance to the affected families. The heavy rainfall is attributed to a weather system known as a shear line, causing widespread impact in the Visayas and Mindanao areas......»»
People in Davao ‘deceived’ into signing people’s initiative forms – barangay officials
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 03 February) – Voters in the city were deceived into signing documents purportedly in exchange for money and other benefits but were actually meant to gather signatures for a people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution, barangay officials from Davao City claimed during a Senate hearing on Friday. The witnesses alleged […].....»»
Karapatan to President Marcos: Cease deceptive practices
Rights group Karapatan yesterday urged the Marcos administration to cease deceptive practices regarding the human rights situation in the country......»»
Cha-Cha: Cebu coalition says no to Charter Change
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cha-Cha or Charter Change is not what the Filipinos need at a time when necessities like rice are becoming too expensive and many are unemployed. This was the message of the newly-launched coalition called the “Cebu Citizens’ Agenda Against Cha-Cha” in reaction to the initiative on political revision. A buzz has.....»»
Isinusulong na Cha-cha, Peso initiative not peoples initiative — Senador
NANINIWALA si Senador Sherwin Gatchalian na hindi maaring tawagin pang Peoples Initiative kundi Pera initiative na ito ay dahil kapalit ng paglagda ng taong bayan ay may kapalit na halaga. Ayon kay Gatchalian batay sa impormasyong kanyang nakalap sa bawat pirma ng isang tao ay mayroong kapalit na isang daan o dalawang daang piso. Kung ….....»»
Shear line affects over 80-K families in Davao
The shear line in the Davao Region has had a significant impact on over 80,000 families, as reported by the Office of Civil Defense-Davao Region (OCD-Davao). The affected families are spread across Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental. Evacuation efforts have been underway, with some families still in shelters. Tragically, casualties have been reported, including fatalities and injuries due to landslides and flooding. The infrastructure has also suffered, with roads and bridges being blocked or damaged. The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) has been providing relief to affected residents, and the local government units have also contributed aid. In response to the shear line, the OCD-Davao has raised its Blue Alert status, emphasizing the need for intensified monitoring and immediate mobilization of resources. The situation remains challenging, with ongoing flooding and landslides affecting numerous areas in the region......»»
No order from me to push people’s initiative, says Romualdez
MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday denied any link to push Charter change (Cha-cha) via people’s initiative (PI). He told reporters that he gave no order to members of the House of Representatives to undertake such a campaign, after Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, in a news conference earlier on Monday, linked him to.....»»
Makabayan bloc seeks probe into funding of charter change initiatives
In a resolution Reps. France Castro (ACT Teachers Party-list), Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Women’s Party) and Raoul Manuel (Kabataan Party-list) called for a probe by the House’s committee on public accounts, stressing the public deserves to know the source of funding for the renewed attempt to change the Constitution. .....»»
AIADMK releases first list of 16 candidates for Lok Sabha polls
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], March 20 (ANI): AIADMK on Wednesday released its first list of 16 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The list was released by the party general secretary, Edappadi K Palaniswami. While releasing the list, he said that five constituencies have been allocated to the DMDK; and one each to Puthiya Tamilagam and SDPI. "In the AIADMK alliance, DMDMK is to contest in 5 seats, SDPI.....»»
2 `bata’ ni Martin Romualdez pumalag sa Cha-cha survey
Kinuwestiyon ng dalawang mambabatas ang resulta ng survey na ginawa ng Pulse Asia kaugnay sa Charter change (Cha-cha) kung saan lumabas na mayorya ng mga Pilipino ang hindi pabor na amiyendahan ang 1987 Constitution. The post 2 `bata’ ni Martin Romualdez pumalag sa Cha-cha survey first appeared on Abante......»»
Education Cha-cha
The Vice President has publicly opposed Cha-cha mode through the controversial people’s initiative......»»
ACT solon moves to probe efforts to jumpstart Cha-cha
MANILA, Philippines — A resolution seeking to investigate the reported signature-buying and the alleged use of public funds to push for constitutional reform or Charter change (Cha-cha) through the “so-called” people’s initiative (PI), has been filed in the House of Representatives. Alliance of Concerned Teachers Rep. France Castro said on Sunday that she electronically filed.....»»
Calinan District residents protest vs disguised Cha-cha
Residents from the 19 barangays in Calinan District rallied against the disguised People's Initiative for Charter Change in a protest held on January 19, 2024. Organized by the barangay captains, around 100 individuals from each barangay gathered at Rizal Park, chanting Dabawenyos are not for sale and expressing their disapproval of the alleged cash-for-signature scheme. The protest emphasized the residents' desire for fairness and a better government approach, rejecting the notion of exchanging signatures for money. Participants, including both young and old residents, voiced their opposition to the charter change, with the youth expressing concerns about power-hungry officials. Even 75-year-old Rosminda Amarilla joined the protest to question the need for change after numerous presidents have governed without such alterations. The rally, which included a motorcade and drew approximately 300 participants, received disapproval from Congressman Paolo Pulong Z. Duterte and Congressman Isidro Ungab, who alleged that the signature campaign was orchestrated by leaders of the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist. As of the latest update, PBA Representative Margarita Atty. Migs Nograles has yet to release a statement on the matter......»»
Dutertes not credible opposition vs cha-cha, says Davao progressives
Progressive groups who have long battled moves by elected officials for charter change said this Sunday’s protest against cha-cha led by Duterte supporters in Davao does not make the Dutertes stand as a credible opposition......»»
Party-list rep: Concerted effort to discredit Pulse survey?
Unlike most of her colleagues in the House of Representatives, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro thinks the Pulse Asia survey results on Charter change are “valid.”.....»»
No extension of party-list registration deadline – Comelec
The Commission on Elections is not inclined to extend the deadline for party-list groups to file the required manifestation of intent to participate in the 2025 elections......»»
Fewer groups seen joining party-list polls
Fewer organizations want to participate in the May 2025 party-list elections, the Commission on Elections reported on Wednesday......»»
Uncertainty looms over Davao-Samal Bridge project amid RoW hurdles
The construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC), also known as the Davao-Samal Bridge project, has faced numerous setbacks due to right-of-way (ROW) acquisition challenges. The project was halted on January 3, 2024, due to issues with landowners near a pier in Lanang at Davao City, leading to delays in the project's implementation. While there have been conflicting statements regarding the project's status, the National Economic and Development Authority-Davao Region (Neda-Davao) aims to complete the detailed engineering plans for the substructure of the west land via dock once the Deed of Transfer Possession in Davao City is released. However, ROW issues continue to persist. Despite these challenges, the project is still considered a priority and is included in the Davao Region Development Plan (DRDP) for 2023–2028. The project is funded through China’s Official Development Assistance with an estimated budget of P23.04 billion, and negotiations with the Philippine government are ongoing with a target completion date in 2027. The uncertainty surrounding the project's timeline remains as ROW hurdles persist, impacting the much-anticipated toll-free four-lane concrete exodus bridge spanning a 3.98-kilometer distance......»»