Group eyes people’s initiative for enactment of anti-dynasty measure

MANILA, Philippines — A coalition of non-government organizations is planning to launch a people’s initiative to enact an anti-political dynasty measure, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said on Wednesday. 

According to Carpio, he, along with Atty. Alex Lacson and other lawyers held a dialogue with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on the same day to clarify the poll body’s rules and regulations in holding a people’s initiative.

The poll body recently lifted the partial suspension of Comelec Resolution No. 10650, as it now once again allows accepting signatures for holding a people’s initiative to enact a national measure or local ordinance. The implementation of the resolution was suspended in 2024.

READ: Comelec reopens signature filing of people’s initiative

“We are discussing how we can gather signatures. We wanted some clarifications from the Comelec,” Carpio said in an interview. 

The Comelec earlier noted that it will accept people’s initiative on the passage of a national or local legislation, but not for the amendment of the Constitution. 

“There are many things to be ironed out, but it’s clear it can be done because it’s not stopped by the Supreme Court. So it’s good that we clarified it,” Carpio said partly in Filipino. 

Under the Comelec Resolution No. 10650, any registered voter or group of voters may file a petition for an initiative or referendum to “propose, enact, approve or reject, in whole or in part, the Constitution, laws, ordinances or resolutions passed by any legislative body.”

READ: The clamor for anti-dynasty law

The petition must be signed by at least 12% of the total number of registered voters nationwide and at least 3% in every legislative district before it can be ratified for a plebiscite. Carpio said that these figures are challenging but they “will mount a people’s initiative.”

Meanwhile, Comelec spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco said that the dialogue was fruitful and the poll body was able to provide the clarifications the group needed. He added that the Comelec is welcome to receive any suggestions or recommendations from groups.

“If they have suggestions or ideas that are streamlined and are more effective, they can submit them to the Comelec and we will study the submissions,” Laudiangco said in a separate interview. /jpv