Suportado ng mga alkalde ng Albay ang panawagan na amyendahan ang 1987 Constitution sa pamamagitan ng People’s Initiative, ang isa tatlong paraan ng pag-amyenda sa Konstitusyon.

Sa pagpupulong ng League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Albay Chapter noong Biyernes, sinabi ng pangulo ng liga na si Polangui Mayor Adrian Salceda na karamihan ng mga alkalde ay sumusuporta sa isinasagawang signature drive upang isulong ang pagbabago sa Konstitusyon. Labinglima sa 18 alkalde sa probinsya ang dumalo sa pagpupulong.

“We pledged to help gather as much signatures in support of charter amendments especially after learning from experts how the Constitution’s restrictive provisions hampered our progress as a nation,” ani Salceda.

Inimbitahan naman bilang LMP resource person sina dating Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin, Jr. dating chairman ng House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, at Ako Bicol Rep. Raul Angelo ‘Jil’ Bongalon.

“Local government leaders, by the very nature of our roles, are intimately connected to the daily lives and aspirations of our constituents. We are at the forefront of understanding their needs, challenges, and hopes. This unique position has inspired us to take a proactive stance in the People’s Initiative, recognizing the urgent need for constitutional amendments that reflect the evolving dynamics of our society,” sabi ni Salceda.

“Our collective support for this initiative stems from a shared belief in the power of local voices and the importance of grassroots involvement in national decision-making. By joining hands in this signature campaign, we are not just advocating for a change in the constitutional process; we are reinforcing our commitment to a governance structure that is more responsive, inclusive, and representative of the Filipino people,” saad pa nito.

Iginiit ng pangulo ng LMP-Albay na nangako ang mga alkalde na susuportahan at tutulungan ang mga civic leader, people’s organization, at mga indibidwal na mangunguna sa isasagawang signature campaign na kailangan ng People’s Initiative.

“The People’s Initiative is a call to action for all Filipinos to actively participate in shaping the laws and policies that govern our nation. As local government leaders, we are deeply aware of the legislative deadlock that has hindered national progress. This initiative presents a vital opportunity to overcome these barriers, ensuring that the will of the people is directly reflected in our constitution,” paliwanag ni Salceda.

Itinanggi rin ni Salceda ang sinabi ni Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman na mayroong ‘mobilization funds’ na ibinigay sa mga alkalde na dumalo sa pagpupulong. “It’s also untrue that voters who would sign the petition for people’s initiative will be given P100 each. That is false and utterly ridiculous,” sabi nito.

Sa pahayag naman ni Lagman na walang implementing law para sa People’s Initiative, sinabi ni Garbin na 10 justice ng Korte Suprema ang nagsabi na sapat ang RA 6735 para ipatupad ang People’s Initiative.

“In fact, Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban and Justices Consuelo Ynares-Santiago and Adolfo S. Azcuna joined their dissenting colleagues — Senior Associate Justice Reynato S. Puno, and Justices Leonardo A. Quisumbing, Renato C. Corona, Dante O. Tinga, Minita V. Chico-Nazario, Cancio C. Garcia, and Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr. — in ruling that RA 6735 suffices as an enabling law to implement the constitutional provision on people’s initiative,” paliwanag ni Garbin.

Idinagdag pa ni Garbin na sa resolusyon sa inihaing Motion for Reconsideration, sinabi ng Korte Suprema na karamihan ng mga justices ay bumoto upang ideklara na ang RA 6735 ay sapat para sa People’s Initiative.

“[The case of] Lambino, thus effectively abandoned the ruling in Defensor-Santiago vs Comelec,” giit ni Garbin.