(UPDATE) SENATE Majority Leader Emmanuel "Joel" Villanueva and Sen. Maria Josefa Imelda "Imee" Marcos on Friday called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) not to further burden the people who want to withdraw their signatures in the People's Initiative (PI) for the amendment of the Constitution.

SENATE Majority Leader Emmanuel Joel Villanueva. File Photo

Commenting on the poll body's approval of a withdrawal form for individuals who wish to withdraw their signatures in the PI, Villanueva noted that the form contains complicated requirements.

"While the actions of Comelec regarding the 'fake' People's Initiative (PI) are a welcome development, we are calling on the poll body not to make it hard for our countrymen to withdraw their signatures because this is their right. The process of signing is simple; let us also simplify the process of withdrawing the same," said Villanueva in Filipino.

"It is therefore important to have a clear direction from the Comelec, especially since the Supreme Court has already said that there is no law for a People's Initiative in amending the Constitution," he said.

Senator Marcos, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People's Participation, said the withdrawal of signatures should be as easy as affixing them.

"Requiring an explanation certainly makes it more difficult for people to withdraw their signatures en masse. They were not asked for an explanation when they signed the PI sheets. Why would they be asked to explain themselves if they decide to withdraw their signatures," Marcos said.

"The Comelec has suspended Resolution 10650 and any actions concerning the PI campaign. That is the reason why they cannot act on the withdrawal of signatures right now. I do hope, however, that they treat the PI sheets in the same manner that they treat the withdrawal sheets — for record purposes only," Marcos added.

The Comelec on Wednesday approved a "withdrawal form" for individuals who wish to retract their signatures in PI.

It said the forms will be available at the Office of Election Officers (OEO) and may be submitted to the same office.

The Comelec also directed its Education and Information Department to "disseminate this information while clarifying that the acceptance of withdrawal forms shall not be construed as formal action by the Commission on the signature sheets/petition for PI."

On January 29, the Comelec en banc halted all proceedings related to the petition after voting for the suspension of Comelec Resolution 10650, which covers the guidelines for the People's Initiative.

In the signature campaign led by the People's Initiative for Modernization and Reform Action (Pirma), voters were asked if they were in favor of amending Article 17 Section 1 of the Constitution by allowing all members of Congress to jointly vote on proposed constitutional amendments.

The amendment is a departure from the existing provision, which does not explicitly state whether the House of Representatives and the Senate should vote jointly or separately to amend the charter through a Constituent Assembly.

The signature drive for the People's Initiative became controversial after several lawmakers disclosed that the public was allegedly bribed or promised government aid in exchange for their signatures.

Senators condemned the underhanded tactics, which they believed were supported by Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The Senate unanimously released a manifesto against the People's Initiative efforts, saying the House is out to abolish the Senate since the document for signature asks voters if they are in favor of amending the Charter to allow members of Congress to jointly vote on constitutional amendments, a setup that would consider the vote of 24 senators and more than 300 members of the lower chamber.

But Charter change advocate Albay Rep. Jose Maria Clemente "Joey" Salceda said it is up to the PI proponents to withdraw their signatures.

Salceda defended both the initiative and the withdrawal process as in accordance with the law.

"Nothing much else to comment on as far as procedure is concerned — all of that is in order," Salceda said.

He said he hopes that the withdrawal of the signatures would speed up the Senate's discussions on Charter change, and that the process would shift its focus on its discussion based on the merits alone.

"At least now, questions of motive or origin of the People's Initiative can no longer be used as an excuse or distraction from the simple truth that we need to open up," Salceda said.

Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez (1-Rider Party-list) welcomed the decision of the Comelec to release the forms, but also appealed to the Senate to stop meddling in People's Initiative, which he believes is a right of the Filipino people.

The Senate's investigation into PI "is turning into a witch-hunt obviously directed against the House," Gutierrez, a member of the minority bloc, said.

He believes that Comelec's move does not mean a defeat for People's Initiative, but a welcome development in the information and education campaign to let the people know about the efforts of organizations to remove the restrictive restrictions of the 1987 Constitution.

"The Comelec has the mandate for the People's Initiative, not the Senate, and not the House of Representatives. That is why it is called the People's Initiative. They were the ones who are leading the changes in our charter and Congress should not meddle in it," Gutierrez said.

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