HEADLINES
Imee: Tainted People's Initiative paper trail leads to Speaker's office
Romualdez: Show the proof, Marites,
1/26/24, 2:00 PM
Senator Imee Marcos has publicly accused House Speaker Martin Romualdez, her first-degree cousin, of masterminding the controversial people's initiative, which has faced denouncement from the Senate.
Marcos, the sister of the President, arrived at this conclusion after scrutinizing the apparent paper trail of materials and documents related to the people's initiative.
"There are numerous texts, orders, many forms, all coming from them. The schedule, the timeline, the form—all clearly derive from the Speaker’s office," she declared at a press conference
“Kumpleto pa yung pangalan ng kanyang mga assistant, si Atty. ‘ek-ek; at yung isang staff member, maliwanag naman kung saan galing,” she added.
She asserted that Romualdez’s office is actively involved in collecting signatures from voters.
Earlier, the 24-member Senate unanimously issued a manifesto declaring its decision to reject the People’s Initiative campaign, which has faced accusations of bribery.
"Definitely, his office offered P20 million per district. The timeline, which indicated July as the completion date... That derived from his office with very clear numbers identifying the staff members and attorneys involved," Marcos stated.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva supported Marcos’ claim, saying that he was also able to collect evidence linking the PI bid to members of the Lower House.
"I have compiled a list, including mayors and even governors. These are the complaints sent to us," said Villanueva.
Accusations of bribery were first raised by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman who revealed that his constituents have been offered P100 in exchange of their signatures to the PI petition
In response, Romualdez dismissed his cousin as a "marites" or gossipmonger and urged her to provide proof for her bribery claim.
"That is baseless. Perhaps I will just talk to her. Maybe she's just gossiping, listening to gossips. I'd like her to prove it, and she has the proper means and ways. She can go to whatever court or agency," stated Romualdez.
Notwithstanding the Lower House’s denial, suspicions remained strong as leaders of the majority bloc under Romualdez have taken a strong stand behind the PI- rejecting the bribery claim and later boasting that people are solidly supportive of the PI as the best way of amending the 1987 Charter.