Imee: P20 M offered per district for House Cha-cha

Up to P20 million was reportedly offered to each congressional district that could deliver by next week the needed number of signatures that support the Charter change (Chacha) being pushed in the House of Representatives, Sen. Imee Marcos said yesterday.

- CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE & MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB

Marcos condemned the alleged offer, noting the money would reportedly be taken from the government assistance programs under the Departments of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Health (DOH) and Labor and Employment (DOLE).

“I even heard that big cities were also promised to receive P20,000 if they can produce 20,000 signatures by Jan. 13. Many newly elected barangay captains were ordered to produce 20,000 signatures by the weekend so they could receive goodies from these agencies,” Marcos said.

“I condemn the offer because our Constitution is not for sale.

Apparently they offer the DSWD’s assistance to individuals in crisis situation (AICS), DOLE’s TUPAD or tulong panghanapbuhay sa ating disadvantaged/displaced workers and the DOH’s medical assistance to indigent patients program (MAIPP).”

Congressional districts that can produce a good signature turnout will reportedly get P5 million from the DWSD’s AICS or Ayuda sa Kapos sa Kita Program, P10 million from DOH’s MAIP program and P5 million from DOLE’s TUPAD.

Based on allegations of Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, mayors were given funds to persuade their constituents to sign documents pertaining to the people’s initiative petition.