- Calinan residents will never dance to Cha-Cha: ABC
AROUND 300 residents from Calinan District stood firm against the signature campaign reportedly to initiate a People’s Initiative as a method for charter change (cha-cha).
Residents staged a protest and waved banners with the message “Dabawenyos are not for sale” at Rizal Park, on Friday, Jan. 19.
“Kadtong sa pirma-pirma bitaw dili mi mosugot ana, maong kita nag higayon og pamaagi batok ani (We initiated an action like this to oppose the signature campaign),” Biao Joaquin barangay chief Pedrito Cañedo Sr. said in a sideline interview during the rally.
Cañedo Sr. said the protest was an initiative of all 19 members of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) in Calinan district to voice out their disagreement with the campaign, said to be done with cash incentives to lure people into writing their signatures.
Tamayong barangay chief Cresente Canada insisted that the residents came of their own volition
“Voluntary sila nagpunta dito sapagkat alam nila na ang Dabawenyos, kahit ang Calinan District ay nakatira sa bukid, nagkahiusa mi na nagpamatoud bisan sa bukid mi, dili mi mga nawng og kwarta (Even if we live in remote barangays, we are not greedy who only cares about money),” he added.
Canada said they resist any form of monetary compensation in exchange for their signatures and dignity.
Third District Rep. Isidro Ungab earlier expressed disapproval of the signature campaign, claiming it is a form of vote-buying.
Petition forms to amend several provisions in the 1987 Philippine Constitution were distributed in various barangays in the city. These forms being delivered collect signatures from people in exchange for claim stubs with values ranging from P2,000 to P3,000.
“It cannot be overly emphasized that the “consent of the governed” in a People’s Initiative or whatever electoral exercise must be based on free will and should not be vitiated or corrupted,” Ungab said in a Facebook post.
Vice President Sara Duterte said the signature campaign was a reflection of disrespect and disregard for the real situation of common Filipinos.
“Ito ay pagsasamantala sa kahirapan ng ating mga mamamayan at kawalan ng respeto sa kanilang karapatan na magdesisyon nang malaya, walang takot, o impluwensya gamit ang salapi,” she said in her statement issued on Jan. 19.
Section 2 of Article 17. Amendments and Revisions of the 1987 Constitution states that the constitution may be amended or revised through PI upon a petition of at least 12% of the total number of registered voters with at least 3% of the registered voters in every legislative district.
