People’s Initiative?
March 27th, 2006 at 8:25 am (General, National Politics)
Dictionary.com describes initiative as “the right and procedure by which citizens can propose a law by petition and ensure its submission to the electorate.”
Wikipedia offers a more detailed description:
“…initiative (also known as popular or citizen’s initiative) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance. It is a form of direct democracy.
The initiative may take the form of either the direct or indirect initiative. Under the direct initiative, a measure is put directly to a vote after being submitted by a petition. Under the indirect initiative, a measure is first referred to the legislature, and then only put to a popular vote if not enacted by the legislature.
About a year ago, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, asked that we as a nation start the “great debate” on a Charter Change. A lot has happened since then, but only a little, if any, has anything to do with the “great debate.”
A week ago, Arroyo’s allies have started a sort of signature campaign, asking that a Charter Change (of the Constitution) be implemented. This, they say, is a people’s initiative to push the legislature to work on a Charter Change.
I have absolutely no problem with the citizenry standing up and letting their voices be heard. In fact, I applaud any and all LEGITIMATE attempts by the citizenry to influence and push public servants into action. However, it is disturbing to know that some unscrupulous personalities are taking advantage of some people’s ignorance and desperation. Reports of bribery, intimidation and false pretenses abound. But the government or legitimate people’s organizations are not really doing anything to stop the false initiative.
The legislature and other concerned offices (i.e. the COMELEC) should do everything in its power to ensure that this “people’s initiative” is really an initiative from the citizenry.
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Manuel L. Quezon III » Political ostracism in Thailand said,
March 30, 2006 at 8:22 pm
[…] Bloggers weigh in on the people’s initiative: Brains and Hands, as well as Alleba Politics don’t necessarily reject the idea of a people’s initiative, but wonder if a government-initiated one can be properly considered as coming from the people. […]