Sinabi ni Senator Francis Escudero na ngayon ipinatitigil na ang people’s initiative (PI) nararapat lamang na gamitin ng Commission on Election’s (Comelec) ang inilaan na P12 bilyon para sa plebisiti sa ibang bagay.
Ayon kay Escudero, biglang naidagdag lang naman ang halaga sa 2024 budget ng Comelec at kinumpirma na ito ni Chairman George Garcia.
“It was neither in the President’s proposed budget nor in the Comelec’s original submission,” aniya.
Dagdag pa ng senador: “But now that the horse is dead; there is no more use for the cart. Ang importante dapat ‘no touch’ na ‘yang pondo na ‘yan. Kasi kung nandiyan pa ‘yan, baka bumangon pa sa libingan itong pekeng initiative.”
Ang suhestiyon ni Escudero sa Comelec ay suriin muli ang kanilang budget sa ilalim ng Line Item “Conduct and supervision of elections, referenda, recall votes and plebiscites.”
“Now that the President has taken a position against the people’s initiative, and you (Comelec) are reviewing your rules, this is also an opportune time to revisit the P14 billion in your budget, realign it for the purpose of what you really need for example on capital outlays and personnel services such as the creation of positions which is well within your power to do so,” sabi ni Escudero kay Garcia.