Ilang testigo na umano’y binigyan ng ayuda kapalit ng pirma, lumutang sa imbestigasyon ng Senado kaugnay sa People’s Initiative
Ilang testigo na umano’y binigyan ng ayuda kapalit ng pirma, lumutang sa imbestigasyon ng Senado kaugnay sa People’s Initiative
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00:00 The investigation of the Senate on the issues of the People's Initiative has already started.
00:05 Some witnesses have already testified that the aid was given in exchange for the signature of Daniel Manalasta in detail.
00:14 Some witnesses have testified in the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms
00:21 on the issues that are included in the People's Initiative,
00:24 as a way to amend the Constitution.
00:28 Some witnesses have spoken against the signature in the P.I. from various places in the country.
00:34 They said that there are people who get signatures in our barangay and they are promised aid.
00:42 The list has precinct numbers already.
00:45 We signed with my husband, brother, and mother-in-law,
00:49 but we have not received the aid until now.
00:53 Is that right?
00:57 Is that right, Witness 3?
01:00 Yes, it's right.
01:02 We received the aid from our party list.
01:08 We had a hard time when we received the aid because they think that there is aid.
01:14 But Congressman Rodante Marcoleta mentioned that some of the witnesses have hidden their faces.
01:23 If they are brave witnesses, why are they wearing masks?
01:28 They are the bravest.
01:31 And the others really don't want to go.
01:33 Why are they wearing masks? I know that the brave witnesses will face all the consequences.
01:40 Some witnesses are worried that they might be returned.
01:43 Some senators defended the witnesses and promised to ensure their safety.
01:49 Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri assured that no witness will hide their identity.
01:57 Our rules allow protection to our witnesses.
02:01 They don't need to hide their identity because we have whistleblowers.
02:07 We have many hearings.
02:10 From the Blue Ribbon Committee to the hearing of Senator Bato,
02:13 when they are talking about cults,
02:16 they are really hiding their identity for the mere fact that the one who will be pursued is a politician.
02:24 In the middle of the hearing, Marcoleta suddenly told the senators that the chamber has been opened several times
02:30 that they will be helping the Senate through the Constituent Assembly.
02:35 But they did not listen to the Senate.
02:38 The senators responded.
02:40 Every time an invitation is issued to the Senate by the House, the answer is dead.
02:48 Dead.
02:50 So when will we use the Constituent Assembly? We cannot.
02:54 It's impossible.
02:56 The observation of Atty. Marcoleta is right, but that cannot be forced.
03:02 If the Senate does not want to amend the Constitution through a Constituent Assembly,
03:08 the House cannot force it.
03:10 That's as simple as that.
03:12 So therefore, no one is forcing.
03:15 With all due respect to Congressman Marcoleta,
03:18 that's likely a subject of another hearing and another meeting
03:23 and perhaps a more confident...
03:28 Let's not hijack this hearing.
03:30 Zubiri is adamant that they are not pushing for economic charter change.
03:34 In fact, it has already been done by the Senate.
03:37 Only to change your mind three days later, Mr. Senate President.
03:41 Did I cite the record that I said I would no longer pursue this?
03:44 Well, it's in the privileged speech I heard by one of you.
03:50 No, no, no. I think it was a misconception of my dear friend, Congressman Marcoleta.
03:54 We are just fighting this EI first.
03:58 We need to elude the Senate as the opposition always.
04:04 The reason why the economic charter is not being pursued.
04:09 Some former magistrates of the Supreme Court also attended to give their opinions.
04:14 We cannot supply that deficiency.
04:16 There has to be a law. Why?
04:18 Because the Constitution says that Congress shall pass a law to implement this initiative.
04:25 To change the voting, it has to be done by constituent assembly, not by initiative.
04:32 The committee has already given its opinion on the P.I.
04:37 They are still hoping for a further hearing.
04:40 Daniel Manalastas for the Morning Show of the City, Rise and Shine, Philippines.