Decision on the Initiative

Decision on the Initiative
November 11, 2006

Philippine Free Press

DECISIONS like that of the Supreme Court dismissing the petition for the so-called people's initiative are only expected of a disinterested judiciary. The relevance of the decision cannot be overemphasized. The Supreme Court placed a deserved check on the procedure on how the signatures were gathered from the people who supposedly supported the revision of the Constitution.

There are people who are not pleased with the decision. To be sure, the petitioners will file a motion for reconsideration. Yet it is important for us to know that the court will be impartial despite pressures from all sides.

That the supposed initiative has been controversial makes the Supreme Court decision even more significant. Indeed, it would have been interesting to know how and why, as alleged, the signatures of people were tampered with. Who really initiated the signature campaign? Who funded it? Who among the national and local leaders are behind the campaign.

The decision assures us that if we are looking for excellence in government, the Supreme Court is the model. We only hope that the other branches of government and their agencies will follow the Supreme Court's example.

Reginald B. Tamayo
member, Sangguniang Bayan
Aparri, Cagayan