Initiatives to propel Cha-cha a dangerous move, says Colmenares

Bayan Muna chair Neri Colmenares. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Bayan Muna Chairman Neri Colmenares warned on Sunday against the ongoing push for Charter change (Cha-cha), alleging that the campaign is “dangerous” and may be utilizing backhanded tactics.

Speaking during the Kapihan sa Quezon City, Colmenares expressed worry over a pro-Cha-cha group’s signature campaign for the amendment of the 1987 Constitution through a people’s initiative.

“Very dangerous ito kasi it’s well-organized and well-funded. More than noong panahon ni Duterte,” he said.

(This is very dangerous because it is well-organized and well-funded – more than during the time of Duterte.)

The lawyer was referring to the campaign of the group People’s Initiative for Reform Modernization and Action (Pirma) which seeks to gather over eight million signatures or 12 percent of the country’s registered voters to fortify its Cha-cha petition.

According to Colmenares, Pirma said that it aims to finish its signature campaign by June this year to coincide with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address.

“Masyadong mabilis iyan. Ang tingin namin, imposibleng maachieve iyan unless gumamit ka ng mga hocus-pocus,” he stressed, saying that when they did their own campaign to criminalize the distribution of pork barrel funds, it took them a year to gather about two million signatures.

(That’s too fast. The way we see it, that’s impossible to achieve unless you use some hocus-pocus.)

Pirma’s signature drive has been marred by allegations of “vote-buying” using government funds and the exchange of signatures for government “incentives.”

READ: Lagman says public funds being used for Cha-cha drive

These accusations, however, have been repeatedly denied by leaders of Pirma and some legislators from the House of Representatives.

Earlier, Pirma explained that they are not using funds from public coffers as their signature campaign is strictly a private endeavor.

Unicameral government

Pirma National Convenor Noel Oñate previously explained that aside from amending the economic provisions of the Constitution, they also wish to transition the current legislative system into a unicameral government, which will allegedly expedite the approval of laws.

This entails the dissolution of the 24-member Senate as it will be merged with the over 300 members of the Congress.

Colmenares questioned this proposal from Pirma, noting that such a move will not address corruption and poverty in the country and may even worsen with the removal of the Senate.

“The Senate serves as a check and balance. If you remove its power, we will have a free-for-all situation here. What they want is a unicameral government, a single congress, and one chamber will rule here. The Senate will be dissolved,” the former lawmaker said in Filipino.

“This is what we always say at Bayan Muna: Poverty and corruption do not stem from the Constitution. That’s why amending it is not the solution,” he added.