The Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s participation led by Sen. Imee Marcos formally conducts an investigation into the controversies hounding the signature campaign for people’s initiative (PI).
The hearing is scheduled at 10:00 am Tuesday, Jan. 30, with Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia and Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda, Jr. in attendance, according to a guest list released to Senate reporters.
Other Comelec officials expected to attend are Commissioners Soccorro Inting, Rey Bulay, Nelson Celis and Marlon Casquejo. Various government agencies from the executive branch also sent representatives to attend the hearing.
Retired Justices Antonio Carpio and Adolfo Azcuna, Jr. also confirmed attendance. Lawyers Romulo Macalintal and Chel Diokno will also attend the hearing for the legal sector.
Representatives from civil society groups such as Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), Sanlakas Coalition, Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO), Alliance of Advocates of Federalism in the Philippines (AAFP), and People’s Initiative for Reform Modernization and Action (PIRMA) are also present.
Members from the House of Representatives noted they will not attend the Senate hearing following accusations of bribery in the PI campaign.
The Senate called an official probe into the PI drive after the Comelec indefinitely suspended all proceedings related to this mode of amending the 1987 Constitution.
Ms. Marcos earlier admitted she was having a hard time finding witnesses to substantiate allegations of bribery and deception and even sought the help of her fellow senators.