Former President Rodrigo Duterte has denounced the ongoing move to change the 1987 Constitution amid reports that money is being offered to people in exchange for their signature for a People's Initiative.

“People’s Initiative does not involve buying the vote or the signature of the Filipino,” Duterte said during a prayer rally in Davao City evening on January 28, 2024.

The ‘Hakbang ng Maisug' rally at the San Pedro Square was attended by an estimated 16,000 people, according to the city police.

Duterte said the people cannot expect meaningful change in the Constitution if their vote or their support is being bought from the beginning.

“Ang nangyari ngayon, hindi yan People’s Initiative kung hindi buying their people for their signature. Mag-uumpisa pa lang, bayaran na. Maniwala ka na ang Constitution lalabas yan maganda kung pera-perahin lang tayo?” Duterte said.

He said the people should not believe statements that proponents only want to change the economic provisions of the Constitution.

“What’s wrong with the Constitution? Tell me. Kung hindi yung inyong ambisyon… The real purpose nitong Constitutional changes sa People’s Initiative is really to perpetuate those who are in power,” Duterte said.

Earlier, the Senate issued a manifesto condemning the initiative.

"We respect and recognize the people as our sovereign, with the right to call for Constitutional amendments. We must, however, guard against any sinister and underhanded attempt to change the Constitution by exploiting our democratic process under the guise of a people's initiative," the manifesto read.

"This so-called 'people's' initiative (PI) proposes only one change: in acting as a constituent assembly, the Senate and the House shall vote jointly. While it seems simple, the goal is apparent to make it easier to revise the Constitution by eliminating the Senate from the equation. It is an obvious prelude to further amendments, revisions, or even an overhaul of our entire Constitution," it read further.

ACCEPT THE MONEY

But while he said Filipinos should reject the initiative, Duterte said they can accept the money that may be offered to them in exchange for their signature.

“Magbigay sila ng pera, tanggapin ninyo. Pera ninyo yan,” he said.

Mag-iwan kayo ng isang prinsipyo. Sabihin nyo sa mga anak ninyo, tinanggap ko yung pera kasi pera natin ito, ibili natin ng pagkain, pero yung prinsipyo natin, huwag nating ipagbili. Yan ang iiwan mo sa mundong ito para sa mga anak mo, at yan ang dadalhin mo sa langit.

Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, said earlier that gathering of signatures in exchange for cash continued in Davao City and other parts of the country.

She said the giving of money exploits the poor and their right to vote freely.

"Ito ay pagsasamantala sa kahirapan ng ating mga mamamayan at kawalan ng respeto sa kanilang karapatan na magdesisyon nang malaya, walang takot, o impluwensya gamit ang salapi," she said in a statement.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has been receiving papers containing signatures in support of a people’s initiative from tows and cities across the Philippines.