Deferring 2019 polls via ‘People’s Initiative’ tedious, unacceptable

Besides, the Senate leader said going through a plebiscite at this point to amend the Charter is not probably the best idea. (Photo: Senato of the Philippines/ Facebook)

MANILA — Several senators on Wednesday opposed proposals to postpone the May 2019 elections through a People’s Initiative, stressing separately that the process is quite tedious, a waste of resources and bound to fail.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez earlier suggested postponing the midterm polls so that Congress can continue working to finalize the draft of the proposed federal constitution.

He said while the Constitution requires the conduct of elections every three years, the May 2019 elections could still be canceled either through legislation or an amendment of the Constitution through a People’s Initiative.

The Speaker said if the Senate would not agree to postpone the elections, citizens who support federalism can start a People’s Initiative to amend the said constitutional provision.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said while he respects the Speaker’s decision, he is against deferring the midterm polls.

“I am not in favor of postponing the elections. Let’s make that loud and clear,” Zubiri said during a press briefing at the Senate.

He also insinuated that the proposal to defer the elections via People’s Initiative is easier said than done.

“Dadaan pa ito sa matagal na proseso (It will go through a tedious process). Dadaan pa yan sa (It will still have to go through a) plebiscite if they approve of such amendment,” he noted.

Besides, the Senate leader said going through a plebiscite at this point to amend the Charter is not probably the best idea.

“As of now, with the public’s approval rating on amendments to the Charter at its low of 30 percent and 67 against charter change, baka sa plebiscite na yan mahirapan yan amendment na yan na i-postpone ang 2019 elections (the amendment to postpone the 2019 elections may not pass the plebiscite),” Zubiri said.

Act of Congress

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson reminded Alvarez that any mode to amend the Constitution, including People’s initiative, needs Senate participation.

“The leadership of the House should be reminded of the provision on people’s initiative as an alternative mode of revising or amending the Charter,” he said in a text message to reporters.

“Clearly, nothing escapes the Senate participation. Thus, aside from Sec 1 under Art XVII which provides for Con-ass (Constitutional Assembly) and Con-con (Constitutional Convention), Section 2, particularly paragraph 2, which allows the direct participation of the people shall likewise need the Senate to implement the same,” Lacson pointed out.

The provision in the Constitution states that “Amendments to this Constitution may likewise be directly proposed by the people through initiative upon a petition of at least twelve per centum of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least three per centum of the registered voters therein.”

“No amendment under this section shall be authorized within five years following the ratification of this Constitution nor oftener than once every five years thereafter. The Congress shall provide for the implementation of the exercise of this right.”

“Nothing could be clearer. It goes without saying, majority of the senators, even those running for re-election will fight tooth and nail any attempt to cancel the 2019 midterm elections simply because it is wrong and self-serving,” Lacson said.

For Senator Francis Escudero, a People’s Initiative, even if allowed to proceed, would run out of time to effect the desired outcome.

“That’s totally up to him (Alvarez). But I don’t think it can be done before the 2019 elections,” he said.

Citing the same constitutional provision, the lawmaker added that the Commission on Elections still has to verify all signatures before it can order/schedule the referendum which, in turn, can be questioned before the Courts by any interested party if it is indeed sufficient in form and substance.

“Quite frankly, I don’t know why he seems so obsessed with postponing the election when neither the people nor the Palace supports such postponement,” Escudero said.

On the other hand, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said Alvarez must thoroughly consider his proposal since the law on implementing a People’s Initiative is still quite ambiguous.

“Pag isipan n’ya yan ng mabuti (He should think it over). That’s too cumbersome a procedure hence time consuming, plus the question if a law is in place which sufficiently implements people’s initiative,” he said.

The former Senate President, however, admitted that Alvarez “is the proper person to lead such an initiative because the procedure involves all the legislative districts of the country.”

Waste of resources, divisive

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the proposed People’s Initiative “is just a waste of resources” that might also prove to be “divisive” in the end.

“The electoral process is a fundamental tenet of democracy. It’s the period when the electorate is empowered to choose their own leader who they think best represent their beliefs and ideologies,” he said.

“The people’s initiative to postpone the 2019 elections will just be a waste of resources and it will also further divide the country into deeper political abyss,” Gatchalian said.

Senator Grace Poe also said the process is tedious and was proven to be unsuccessful in the past.

“This was tried in the past under GMA (Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) but it was unsuccessful. It is a lengthy and tedious process. The Speaker should not try any shortcuts and tricks if he believes the proposed charter is judicious and a true solution to the needs of our people,” Poe said.

The reactions of Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto and Senator Francis Pangilinan were more direct.

“He (Alvarez) can. But then it’s not a real people’s initiative but a Speaker’s initiative or political elite initiative,” Recto said.

“The government funds spent for a people’s initiative and plebiscite to extend the terms of sitting politicians can be put to better use,” Pangilinan said.