‘Most Negros mayors back Chacha’

Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, Association of Chief Executives-Negros Occidental president, said that majority of the mayors in Negros Occidental “is in favor of charter change yet no consensus on the manner of it.”

Benitez said that Pulupandan Mayor Miguel Pena, President of League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Negros Occidental chapter, said he’s “okay with economic and political but not okay with land ownership.”

“I believe the Senate will look into economic provisions for education, public services, and advertising,” he said.

“The people’s initiative should be truly the people’s initiative,” Benitez said.

Earlier, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said that while he favors amendments to the Constitution’s economic provisions but would not get involved in the “people’s initiative signature drive.”

On Tuesday, Mayor Salvador Escalante confirmed that signatures are being gathered in the city.

Escalante, secretary general of the United Negros Alliance (UNEGA), said a leader of a local association asked his permission that they will gather signatures in Cadiz to support the people’s initiative to amend 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.
Esclante also said that Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (2nd district) told him he has “no problem with the people’s initiative.”* (EYAdiong)