The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has provided clarification regarding the withdrawal of signatures from the forms submitted to them as part of the people’s initiative (PI). Signatories who wish to pull out their signatures do not need to explain the retraction or secure notarization for the withdrawal form, according to Chairman George Erwin Garcia.
Garcia emphasized that the “reason for withdrawal of signature” listed in the withdrawal form is simply an option and not a requirement. There is no need for signatories to provide an explanation for their decision to withdraw their signature. This clarification comes in response to questions raised by senators who questioned the Comelec’s requirement for an explanation.
Furthermore, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal proposed doing away with the signature forms submitted to local Comelec offices. However, Garcia explained that the forms cannot be discarded as they have been entrusted to the poll body. Instead, the signature forms may be returned to the proponents if they also return the certification issued to them by the concerned local Comelec offices.
To facilitate the withdrawal process, withdrawal forms are now available in local Comelec offices in cities and municipalities. The commission en banc approved the distribution of these forms after individuals expressed their intention to withdraw their signatures during the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation hearing.
The en banc resolution also instructs the election officers to receive and accept the accomplished withdrawal forms for recording purposes. However, it is important to note that there is currently no specific process outlined in Comelec Resolution 10650 or any other resolution for such withdrawals. This lack of clarity was one of the reasons why the commission indefinitely suspended Resolution 10650, the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) on the Constitution and initiative and referendum on national and local legislation.
The suspension of Resolution 10650 has led to the indefinite suspension of all proceedings related to the controversial move to amend the Constitution through people’s initiative. Prior to the suspension order, Comelec records showed that 209 out of 254 legislative districts had submitted signature forms, totaling approximately seven million signatures.
Under the existing rules, the PI signature campaign must obtain 3% of all registered voters in all 254 legislative districts and 12% of voters nationwide. Failure to gather 3% of voters’ signatures in a particular district is already grounds for the automatic dismissal of a petition filed before the Comelec en banc.
The Comelec is currently working on developing credible, properly reviewed, revised, and enhanced rules on people’s initiative. Until then, the suspension of Resolution 10650 remains in effect.
In summary, the Comelec has clarified that signatories who wish to withdraw their signatures from the people’s initiative forms do not need to provide an explanation or notarize the withdrawal form. The withdrawal forms are now available in local Comelec offices, and the commission has suspended all proceedings related to the move to amend the Constitution through people’s initiative. The Comelec is committed to developing improved rules on people’s initiative to ensure a fair and transparent process.
Source: The Manila Times
