Speaker: House not endorsing lawmakers’ participation in PI

House Speaker Martin Romualdez FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives neither endorses nor sanctions lawmakers’ participation in a People’s Initiative, but the legislative chamber would continue to respect any proposal that would represent the will of the people, according to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Romualdez on Tuesday said that while they believe the People’s Initiative is a “direct expression of the people’s will,” the House has not endorsed the campaign so that the process’ integrity would not be affected.

“In response to the discourse surrounding the People’s Initiative, I wish to restate the House of Representatives’ commitment to this essential democratic process. The People’s Initiative stands as a direct expression of the people’s will, providing a means for citizens to propose constitutional amendments,” Romualdez said in a statement.

“The House does not endorse or sanction direct participation by its members in signature gathering, ensuring the process’s integrity and independence remains intact,” he added.

According to Romualdez, they would continue to respect any People’s Initiative campaign, as it is one of the modes to amend the 1987 Constitution.

Similarly, the Speaker said that he denounces any allegations of bribery or unethical practices that are attached to the said process.

“While the House respects and supports the People’s Initiative as an independent, citizen-driven process, our role is to facilitate and encourage democratic participation without direct involvement in signature collection. We are committed to ensuring that proposals are processed in accordance with legal and constitutional guidelines, maintaining the integrity of our Constitution in subsequent legislative actions,” Romualdez said.

“I vehemently denounce any allegations of bribery or unethical practices in persuading citizens to sign the petition for the People’s Initiative. Such actions, if true, would violate the initiative’s spirit of honest and voluntary participation and erode our democratic foundations,” he added.

Romualdez did not specify what particular issue he was reacting to, but at least two Senate members — Senator Ronald dela Rosa and Senator Joel Villanueva — have pinpointed the House leadership as people behind the People’s Initiative.

The Speaker denied dela Rosa’s claim that he is behind such moves, saying that there have been no orders from him about starting a People’s Initiative.
READ: Speaker denies issuing order to initiate people’s initiative https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1892544/fwd-romualdez-on-denying-giving-orders-for-peoples-initiative

JUST IN: Many senators are no longer interested in pushing for the Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 or the measure that seeks to amend certain economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, said Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/FlKwPxjKMj

— Charie Abarca (@charieabarcaINQ) January 23, 2024

Just earlier, after session started, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri read a manifesto signed by all 24 Senators rejecting the use of a People’s Initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution.

Romualdez, for his part, reminded the public that it would be important to assess the Constitution as the economic restrictions can be eased and allow more foreign investments into the country.

“Echoing my previous statements, the entry of foreign capital and direct investments is crucial for our economy. It necessitates a reexamination of the Constitution, particularly its economic provisions, to remove growth barriers. The recent collaboration with the Senate, led by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and the filing of Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, reflects a unified commitment to constitutional reform,” he said.

READ: House passes bill to implement RBH No. 6 for creation of con-con to amend charter 

“This joint effort underscores our resolve to establish a reformed, responsive, and result-oriented constitutional framework. We envision an economy open to the investments needed to generate businesses, jobs, and livelihoods for Filipinos,” he added.

READ: House OKs reso calling for Con-con to amend 1987 Constitution on third reading 

Last December, House leaders Speaker Romualdez and Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., resurfaced proposals for a charter change to amend the 1987 Constitution’s restrictive economic provisions, as a way of letting more foreign investments in.

READ: Romualdez mulling revisiting Cha-cha for economic provision amendments 

The House already passed in March 2023 RBH No. 6 and a bill that would implement it, but it failed to move at the Senate.  This led the House leaders to speculate the possibility of a People’s Initiative being formed instead of other ways to amend the Constitution —  constituent assembly or a constitutional convention.