Chacha signature drive reaches Negros

The signature campaign to push for amendments to the 1987 Constitution has reached the shores of Negros with Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante confirming that signatures are being gathered in the city.

Escalante, secretary general of the United Negros Alliance (UNEGA) today said a leader of a local association asked his permission that they will gather signatures in Cadiz to support the people’s initiative to change the country’s Constitution.

“I gave them permission,” the mayor said, adding that they already started gathering signatures last week

He added that he is monitoring the signature campaign and there is no payment involved.

As far as UNEGA as a local party is concerned, it has not been discussed, he said.

Escalante also said that Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (2nd district) told him he has “no problem with the people’s initiative.”

He said the people’s initiative will cover only the economic provisions of the Constitution and will not touch the terms of incumbent officials.

“We will not be at a loss if we amend the economic provisions of our Constitution,” Escalante said.

He added that he relayed his stand and that of Marañon to the barangay captains of Cadiz so they will be informed in case the signature campaign reaches their respective villages.

“It is still a people’s initiative not a plebiscite yet,” he said.

Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez said that he is surveying the sentiments of the 30 other mayors in Negros Occidental on the people’s initiative.

“I will issue a statement soon,” Benitez, president of the Association of Chief Executives of Negros (ACE) said.

Capitol media tried to get the reactions of local officials on the moves in the province today but they have been evasive by not answering calls or text messages.* (Eugene Y. Adiong)