Bayan Muna to look into 'irregularities' in Cha-cha signature campaign

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) — Bayan Muna intends to probe alleged "irregularities" in the signature forms for a people's initiative submitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for verification, the group's chairman Neri Colmenares said on Monday.

"This well-oiled machinery is moving too fast. For us in Bayan Muna, we intend to look into irregularities of this campaign launched in barangays since December, alongside reports of bribes for ayuda," Colmenares posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Lawmakers earlier called for an inquiry into the alleged bribery in signing a petition to amend the 1987 Constitution through a people's initiative. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/1/10/Imee-Marcos-probe-cha-cha-bribery.html

Bayan Muna has asked Comelec officials for the total number of registered voters in Quezon City's 2nd District, and the cost for requesting a copy of the names of registered voters in the same district.

The group also requested the total number of all registered voters in each district of the country, the total number of all registered voters in the entire country, and the cost for requesting all the registered voters' names.

"This request is part of our preparations to oppose the current people's initiative should we find irregularities in its conduct," the lawmaker said in his request.

RELATED: Village officials warned against participating in Cha-cha signature drive 

Election officers in Comelec's Quezon City office began counting signatures in forms for the people's initiative on Jan. 18.

According to Comelec Chairman George Garcia, the poll body has received forms from about 800 cities and municipalities.

The poll body is considered an independent body that could verify if the signatures for the people's initiative are valid and meet the required number.