A barangay chairman and a community coordinator have implicated the PBA Party-list group in the people’s initiative signature campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution in Davao City. During a hearing of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms, the barangay officers revealed that signatories were reportedly offered coupons for financial assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Richelle Siquerra, a barangay coordinator for the PBA Party-list in Davao City, admitted to encouraging her constituents to sign the people’s initiative and distributing the coupons. Siquerra stated that she was instructed to provide the coupons by Benzar Yap, who is affiliated with the PBA Party-list Representative Margarita Migs Nograles.
When asked if she explained the purpose of the people’s initiative to the signatories, Siquerra admitted that she simply informed them that it was to amend the Constitution without elaborating further. Other witnesses, including Robert Olan-olan, chairperson of Barangay Bucana, Davao City, supported Siquerra’s statements, alleging that former Barangay Chairperson Rolando Trajera organized the signature campaign on behalf of the PBA Party-list.
Olan-olan mentioned in an affidavit that forms for AICS and financial assistance were distributed during the campaign, attracting a significant number of participants. He took to social media to caution residents against signing the people’s initiative, clarifying that programs like AICS should be administered by elected barangay officials rather than political organizations.
Barangay Bucana, with at least 78,000 registered voters, was reportedly targeted by the signature campaign due to its large population. Olan-olan claimed that more than 10,000 signatures were collected in the barangay alone. However, he stated that due to his campaign efforts, many signatories expressed willingness to withdraw their signatures.
Reports indicate that attempts to reach out to PBA Party-list Representative Margarita Migs Nograles for comment have been unsuccessful thus far.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has refuted claims that the AICS program was used in the signature campaign. The DSWD emphasized that the program’s operational guidelines are specifically designed to prevent misuse and affirmed that AICS will never be utilized for political purposes.
DSWD spokesperson Rommel Lopez clarified that the AICS program does not require the use of coupons for the distribution of assistance, contrary to the allegations made during the hearing. He stated that valid identification and relevant documents are the only requirements for individuals to receive cash aid under the program.
As these developments unfold, it is crucial to consider the implications of these accusations on the integrity of the people’s initiative signature campaign and the potential impact on the ongoing discussions surrounding the amendment of the 1987 Constitution. The allegations highlight the need for transparency and ethical conduct in political processes, underscoring the importance of holding accountable those involved in any potential misuse of public programs or resources.
