Farmers’ groups across the country are among the prime movers of the signature-gathering campaign being conducted nationwide as part of the planned people’s initiative for constitutional reform, a former party-list lawmaker for them said Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of the House of Representatives committee on appropriations denounced a fellow solon’s “false claim” that an additional P12-billion budget for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) supposedly for the “conduct and supervision” of elections will be used to finance Charter change.
Former Rep. Argel Cabatbat of Magsasaka Partylist, one of the petitioners for a people’s initiative before Congress, said: “We, in the farming sector, are honored to announce our active role in spearheading the People’s Initiative.”
“This is a movement deeply rooted in empowering the Filipino people and is supported by the unwavering commitment of our farmers’ groups, civic organizations, and local government leaders,” he said.
Other farmers’ groups apart from Magsasaka, however, have yet to confirm their assent with the move as of press time.
Cabatbat made the announcement in response to allegations made by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman that mobilization funds had been distributed to mayors in the province to jumpstart the people’s initiative campaign there.
“We have mobilized our leaders and farmers’ groups not only in Albay, but in the entire country to get the number of signatures needed for the People’s Initiative. We are in close coordination with other people’s organizations and local government leaders who are with us in this campaign,” Cabatbat said.
Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co also denounced Lagman, saying the Comelec budget was made upon the request of the poll body after its proposed P19.4-billion budget in the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP) was slashed by P17.4-billion by the Department of Budget and Management before submission to Congress.
“Comelec Chairman George Garcia personally appealed during the budget hearing in Congress to restore their budget,” Co said in a statement.
“Congressman [Joseph Steven] Caraps Paduano, who presided over that meeting, attests that such request was approved by the committee and reflected in the minutes. Was Congressman Lagman sleeping on the job that he missed it?” he asked.
The appropriations committee chair added that only P14 billion, and not the entire P19.4-billion originally requested by Comelec was approved.
The balance of P5.4 billion was included in the unprogrammed funds for future funding, he said.
Co stressed that Comelec and Garcia were thankful to the bicameral conference committee on the budget for accommodating their request. “Maski sila pa ang tanungin nyo (You can ask them yourself),” Co stressed to reporters.
He said Lagman is making it appear that the bicam “whimsically” added P12 billion to Comelec’s budget to finance Charter Change.
“This is another one of his [Lagman’s] wild and irresponsible accusations,” he stressed.
Cabatbat added: “Much as I respect my former colleague, Manong Edcel, I wish to disabuse his mind that public funds are spent for this purpose.”
“This is an insult to the prime movers of the People’s Initiative who spent their own money as well as to private donors who donated the printed forms needed for the signature campaign,” he said.
Cabatbat explained that farmers’ groups are amenable to amending certain provisions of the 1987 Constitution to help realize an honest-to-goodness modernization program for agriculture.
“The agriculture sector, which I have had the privilege to represent, is the heart of our country. Our farmers, who tirelessly work our lands, understand the power of unity and collective action. Their support, along with that of civic groups and local leaders, is a beacon of hope and solidarity. Together, we are not just gathering signatures; we are uniting a nation towards a common goal of democratic progress and equitable representation,” he said.
“The People’s Initiative is a testament to the democratic spirit of the Philippines. It is a movement that goes beyond traditional politics, aiming to resolve the long-standing legislative deadlock between the Senate and the House of Representatives. Our goal is to streamline the process of constitutional amendments, ensuring that the voices of all Filipinos are heard and considered in the governance of our nation,” Cabatbat added.