A group pushing for Charter Change (Cha-Cha) expects to gather enough signatures in the next two to three months in order to amend the 1987 Constitution through people's initiative.
Noel Oñate, national convener of the People’s Initiative for Reform Modernization and Action (PIRMA), said that they had collected more than two million signatures since the campaign started in January 2.
Under Republic Act 6735 also known as the the Initiative and Referendum Act, any petition to ammend the Constitution must garner signatures from at least 12 percent of the total number of voters across the Philippines, and three percent from every legislative district.
"We have 67 million voters, so ang 12 percent is eight million plus. Sa nangyayari ngayon, mukhang kakayanin namin ang 12 percent at mukhang sobra-sobra pa," Oñate said on Wednesday, January 24, during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay press conference.
"It has been three weeks and based on that momentum, I think we will be finished within a maximum of three months," he added.
Oñate said that, out of 254 legislative districts, PIRMA has yet to reach the three percent threshold in 70 districts.
After collecting enough signatures, Atty. Evaristo Gana said that PIRMA will file a formal petition to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
"Kung hindi rin umabot, hindi rin matutuloy yung people's initiative because we failed in the requirements," Gana said.
Oñate shared that PIRMA wants the Senate and House of Representatives to vote jointly when they convene for a Constituent Assembly in order to amend or revise the Constitution.
Meanwhile, COMELEC commissioner George Garcia clarified that, before conducting a plebiscite, the poll body will still need to verify the signatures submitted by PIRMA, and take other steps that could take up to five months.
