Partylist exec discusses objections to planned people's initiative in Bicol

The Manila Times

Partylist exec discusses objections to planned people's initiative in Bicol  Ako Bicol Partylist Executive Director and former House of Representatives' Commission on Constitutional Amendments chairman Alfredo Garbin Jr. speaks to reporters at the House Media Center on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024 to discuss the opposition to their plan to implement a people's initiative in the Bicol Region.    Video by Red Mendoza  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe  Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net    Follow us:  Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook  Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram  Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter  DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion    Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital    Check out our Podcasts:  Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify  Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts  Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic  Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer  Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcher Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein   #TheManilaTimes  #tmtnews  #bicol

Transcript

00:00 that remains an allegation or just pure assertion that there is no evidence or positive testimony to that effect.

00:10 So, I would like to ask if there is no evidence or anyone who stepped forward that they were given money,

00:21 then that should not be given any weight or consideration at all.

00:25 But if Comladman acknowledged in a previous interview that, I recall, a mayor was called out for allegedly threatening him,

00:38 he said that the conversation was not threatening, but it was contrary to what Comladman said in the interview.

00:48 Well, that still remains as an allegation. Until now, he cannot present the three mayors that he is referring to.

00:57 And to say that he was depressed, Congressman Edson not only became a congressman, but also a psychiatrist.

01:05 And in his previous interviews, he has not presented anything. But what he has is just his assertion, not supported by any positive testimony.

01:19 From those persons whom he said, "I called them."

01:26 I was confronted with that paper and when they presented it to me, I said that it is just a paper and there is nothing in it that says "mobilization fund."

01:42 There is nothing in it that says that the mobilization fund is for the purchase of signatures.

01:47 And in any movement, such as a national movement, for people's initiative, the volunteers and the signatories need to spend money.

01:56 Those who are just going around, you don't feed them, or give them food, or just gas.

02:05 In Albay, we have 700 barangays.

02:08 And therefore, in their daily activities and in their food, or in their assistance to each barangay and to convince the signatories, of course, you will be given food if allowed.

02:23 But that document speaks nothing. In fact, it's a mere scrap of paper that proves anything or nothing at all.

02:33 First of all, the signatories received it, not Manong Edsel.

02:38 Second, it only speaks of mobilization funds. It does not suggest to buy signatures according to his allegations.

02:47 So, maybe we should stop listening to Manong Edsel because he is not presenting any evidence.

02:52 But you admit, Sir, that you know of this document.

02:55 I have no personal knowledge about that. But I'm just speaking and answering your query regarding that.

03:01 So, if you look at it, mobilization fund. Does it suggest to buy signatures? It does not.

03:05 That's part of the democratic process. Anybody can file and oppose the movement.

03:11 At the same time, we are allowed to let the process work and do the procedure.

03:18 The only thing that can deter us under the law is that we can only exercise this People's Initiative once every five years.

03:27 And we can only propose amendments, not revision.

03:31 And there must be an enabling law, which we have, the Republic Act 6735.

03:36 So, outside of that, nobody can deter or prevent the exercise of the people's right to the sovereign power to introduce amendments to the Constitution through People's Initiative.

03:50 [ Silence ]

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