‘TAMBALOSLOS’ | Alvarez says Romualdez’s denial of involvement in people’s initiative for charter change expected

January 25, 2024 , 03:13 PM

(January 25, 2024) – Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez (1st district) on Thursday said he already expected the denial of House Speaker Martin Romualdez about any involvement in the current push for a people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution.

But Alvarez maintained that this will not stop him from gathering information about the alleged illicit practices being employed in the gathering of people’s signatures.

“Dino-document ko rin para pagdating ng oras, kung kinakailangan akong mag-file ng petition din sa Supreme Court questioning itong ginagawa nilang pagpapapirma sa taumbayan, gagawin ko at mayroon akong attachments,” said Alvarez.

Alvarez, who formerly held the same position as Romualdez, supported the previous push for charter change under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, particularly the one seeking a federal form of government.

But he’s not supporting the ongoing moves to amend the charter through a people’s initiative because of what he described as “ulterior motives” of those behind it.

He also made other claims against Romualdez, whom he accused of wanting to become president in other interviews.

“Tambaloslos initiative ang tawag ko diyan. Kasi ang alam naman natin isa lang ang tambaloslos sa buong Pilipinas, itong si Martin Romualdez. Kanyang initiative lang ‘yan,” said Alvarez, a close ally of Duterte. “Wala namang kriminal na umaamin. Ide-deny (niya) ‘yan hangga’t puwedeng i-deny.”

Romualdez has already denied allegations that he ordered lawmakers to start a people’s initiative. But he maintained that the House of Representatives will respect people’s initiative since this is an “essential democratic process” in the 1987 Constitution.

“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 functions,” said Romualdez.

Alvarez said the plans to challenge the people’s initiative before the Supreme Court are good developments because of the alleged problematic schemes linked to this. He added that he may even file a petition himself.

Citing reports from his district, Alvarez said the programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development like the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations are being used to convince individuals to sign the papers.

“Hindi siya sumusunod sa proseso na tama. Malinaw ang sinabi ni (Commission on Elections) chairperson George Garcia na kinakailangan ‘yung signatures ay makuha nang walang kahit anong kapalit,” stressed Alvarez.

Petitioners need to gather the support of 12% of registered voters, represented by a minimum of 3% per legislative district, for a people’s initiative to prosper.

Alvarez urged his fellow lawmakers in the lower chamber to stand their ground in the face of efforts for charter change.

“Sana ‘yung aking mga kasamahan sa House of Representatives ay manindigan na at huwag tayong matatakot dito sa ginagawa ng liderato. Dapat nating tayuan ‘yung ating mga constituents sa distrito,” said Alvarez.

(with reports from Marianne Enriquez, News5)

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