Romualdez denies House behind charter change signature drive
House Speaker Martin Romualdez says lawmakers' role is 'to facilitate and encourage democratic participation without direct involvement in signature collection'.....»»
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......»»
Imee: Romualdez ‘definitely’ behind P20 million for people’s initiative support
It was Speaker Martin Romualdez who was behind the distribution of cash amounting to as much as P20 million per district to bankroll the ongoing signature campaign as part of the people’s initiative for Charter change, Sen. Imee Marcos said yesterday......»»
Signature campaign for Charter change: ‘Rife with anomalies’
IBON Foundation notes that the logic behind the push for economic Cha-cha is “fundamentally flawed.” “More foreign investment does not mean development,” IBON states, adding that despite the increase in annual foreign investment inflows since the 1980s, this did not translate to growth and development for the Philippine economy. The post Signature campaign for Charter change: ‘Rife with anomalies’ appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
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......»»
PIRMA confirms coordinating with Romualdez for People s Initiative signatures
Noel Oñate, lead convenor of the group behind the “EDSA-pwera” ad, confirmed that his group met with Romualdez and House members for “help” in the signature drive to amend the 1987 Constitution......»»
NEWS BRIEFS | 8 February 2024
House Speaker Romualdez visits Army’s 4ID HQ in Cagayan de Oro House Speaker Martin Romualdez visited the headquarters of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division in Camp Evangelista, barangay Patag here on Tuesday. Major Francisco Garello, 4ID spokesperson, said Romualdez came here as part of a two-day Armed Forces of the Philippines and House of Representatives […].....»»
Romualdez sidesteps allegation he ordered People s Initiative signature drive
House Speaker Martin Romualdez has shrugged off a senator’s allegation that he ordered lawmakers to gather signatures for the campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution via People’s Initiative. .....»»
Bohol bishops warn public of deception in charter change signature drive
CEBU CITY, Philippines- Two bishops from Bohol have issued a Pastoral Letter urging the public against being misled in the signature collection for a people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution. The pastoral letter, dated January 24, 2024, was signed by Talibon Bishop Patrick Daniel Parcon and Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy. In the letter, the.....»»
Lakas stalwarts sign pro-Speaker manifesto
Amid rumors of a House leadership change for allegedly using the ayuda cash subsidy to push the people’s initiative signature drive, the ruling Lakas-CMD majority bloc issued a manifesto in support of Speaker Martin Romualdez......»»
Signature drive for people’s initiative to continue – PIRMA
The signature drive for a people’s initiative will continue despite the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Senate, according to the lead convenor of the People’s Initiative for Reform, Modernization and Action......»»
Charter change could bring back dictatorship, intensify rights abuses — survivor
For Medy De Jesus, 74, a martial law survivor and member of human rights group Hustisya, the impending charter change could bring back another dictatorship and more human rights violations. The post Charter change could bring back dictatorship, intensify rights abuses — survivor appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Charter change could worsen destructive mining impact
By DOMINIC GUTOMAN AND ZYSA MEI ELLORAN Bulatlat.com MANILA – For environmental defenders, the government’s push for charter change (cha-cha) could worsen the already dire impacts of destructive mining corporations on vulnerable communities. The Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (Katribu) and Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP) held a protest in front of… The post Charter change could worsen destructive mining impact appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Who outfoxed who?
Accusations have been literally flying thick and fast between and amongst the protagonists and antagonists in the Charter change controversy. Senators vowed to block the snowballing signature drive to carry out Cha-cha allegedly through the House-led people’s initiative......»»
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.....»»
Amid House-Senate rift, Romualdez seeks common ground on Cha-cha with Zubiri
After the Senate delivered a scathing rejection of the ongoing People’s Initiative (PI) campaign to amend the Charter, House Speaker Martin Romualdez has reached out to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri to express the lower chamber's support for an alternative PI led by the upper chamber......»»
House passes RBH No. 7 on economic Charter change
House passes RBH No. 7 on economic Charter change.....»»
Romualdez inspects OFW lounge to ensure convenience
HOUSE Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez personally checked on the condition of the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Lounge at the NAIA Terminal 1 to ensure that once opened for the OFWs, it will offer to them the kind of amenities and convenience that paying air passengers enjoy. Romualdez said the use of the new lounge will […].....»»
Imee Marcos: Romualdez mastermind behind people’s initiative
Imee Marcos: Romualdez mastermind behind people’s initiative.....»»
Comelec: Signature drive can continue
The gathering of signatures as part of the push for a people’s initiative goes on even with the Commission on Elections suspension of all its proceedings related to the latest Charter change move......»»
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......»»