Some 69,098 signatures, or about 20 percent of Bacolod City’s 340,000 registered voters have signed reportedly a signature campaign on the proposed Charter change (Cha-cha).

According to Bacolod City’s Commission on Elections, the signatures have come from different barangays through “people’s initiative.”

“Wala namang deadline, that will form part ng kanilang petition. Ang iba, may parang organization. Dito naman, wala, individual siya. Kung titingnan natin, three percent din lang ang kailangan nila per district sa Bacolod City, at humigit sila sa three percent,” Atty. Kathrina Trinio-Caña, election officer of Comelec Bacolod City, said.

In Barangay Alijis, the chairman admitted that officials of the barangay helped push the signature campaign to voters in their area.

It was also confirmed that on January 8, 2024 they met with other barangay chairpersons to discuss on the required number of signatures and if residents are eligible to sign. 

“Ang empleyado ko, may 300. Kung mayroon sila kahit tigsampu lang, tatlong libo na. Sa 48 na purok chairman, tig-sampu din,” Barangay Alijis Chairman Deogracias de la Vega said. 

However, he denied that money is involved in the initiative.

"Walang pera dito. Wala ring pilitan. Ito ang tinatawag na people’s initiative, ang tao ang siyang may gusto,” de la Vega added.

Employees of the barangay said they understand that certain provisions of the 37-year-old Philippine Constitution are bound to be amended, thus they affixed willfully their signature to manifest their support. 

“Kusa namin yung ginawa. Kusa kaming pumirma,” Latts Llanes, a barangay worker, said.

Comelec Bacolod City is open to submission of additional signatures but they clarified that the acceptance would be for safekeeping for now, based on a directive from the Comelec Central Office.