SEN. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to provide options for Filipinos who were tricked into signing the signature forms for the controversial people's initiative (PI) that seeks to abolish the Senate.

Sen. Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

"During our last hearing in Davao City, those who have signed the sheets were very angry, and they want to withdraw their signatures," dela Rosa told Comelec officials during the continuation of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People's Participation's investigation into the alleged signature-buying for PI on Tuesday, February 14.

"It is incumbent on your part as Comelec to find ways and act on these concerns of the people in Davao. They want to go to the Comelec Elections Officer's Office and withdraw their signatures," he added.

Citing Comelec Chairman George Garcia's previous statement that there were no existing rules covering the withdrawal of signatures on PI efforts, dela Rosa shared that the regional director could not help his fellow Davaoeños retract their support for the people's initiative.

Garcia said there would be no criminal liability since there were no existing rules about the withdrawal of the signatures, but there might be administrative liabilities under Republic Act (RA) 6713 or the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees."

He told dela Rosa that the Comelec would issue guidelines to their local offices on handling cases of withdrawal of signatures.

The Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People's Participation launched a series of investigations after dela Rosa and several other senators questioned what they called a "politician's initiative."

Dela Rosa also joined other senators in signing a manifesto that opposed the people's initiative, as this attempt to dilute the powers of the Senate.

The signature campaign for people's initiative seeks to amend Article 17, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution to allow members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to vote jointly in a constituent assembly.

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