Will PNoy sign people’s initiative? Define ‘pork’ first, says Palace

(Updated 6:10 p.m.) Will President Benigno Aquino III himself sign the petition for a people’s initiative against the pork barrel system?

 

Malacañang said supporters of the signature drive should first be clear with their definition of “pork barrel” before making such a challenge to the President.

 

“There is a fundamental difference in the definition of pork barrel. The Supreme Court already ruled on it. Do they [supporters of the people’s initiative] agree with the definition of the SC about pork barrel?” Secretary Edwin Lacierda, Aquino’s spokesman, said in a text message to reporters.

 

The high court, in its decision last year striking down the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) as unconstitutional, defined “pork barrel” as “lump-sum, discretionary funds of members of the legislature.”

 

Earlier in the day, a signature drive for a people’s initiative was launched during a protest action in Manila. The initiative seeks to abolish all forms of presidential and congressional discretionary funds, and to mandate line item budgeting.

In their petition, supporters of the signature drive defined pork barrel as “a lump sum public fund with sole discretion given to the president, legislator or group of legislators, or any public officer.”

 

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares has dared Aquino to sign the petition.

 

But Lacierda pointed out that Colmenares should already be aware of the reforms introduced by the administration to the national budget to address the pork barrel system, since these were already explained in congressional hearings.

 

“Neri had the opportunity to look into the proposed 2015 budget. [Budget Secretary Florencio] Abad already categorically answered his queries during the hearings before the House. The answers were obviously not in agreement with his agenda,” the President’s spokesman said.

 

Wait and see

 

Further, Lacierda said Malacañang is taking a wait-and-see approach on the petition for a people’s initiative against the pork barrel system.

 

He said the Palace will in the meantime let supporters of the signature drive push through with their advocacy.

 

“Let's wait for the process to take its course,” the Palace official told reporters.

 

He nevertheless described the people’s initiative drive as a sign of “a vibrant democracy” in the country.

 

The 1987 Constitution allows Filipinos to directly propose laws through a petition signed by at least ten percent of the total number of registered voters, of which three percent of every legislative district must be represented.

 

Under Republic Act 6735, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is tasked to evaluate the sufficiency of any petition for a people’s initiative.

 

A majority of all Filipino registered voters are proposition for a required to approve a proposition for legislation pitched through a people’s initiative.  — RSJ, GMA News