In a “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” briefing, Comelec Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said if they receive a complaint, they will check if the poll body has jurisdiction over it.

He said they will also examine if it has an election offense has been committed and if it has probable cause so they can file a case in the regional trial courts; and whether the facts match the petition submitted to them.

“If this is an election offense, meaning the Comelec has jurisdiction over it if the law that is violated is an election offense case or criminal case, we will conduct a preliminary investigation. We will determine if there is probable cause so we can file criminal information in the regional trial courts. That is because the Comelec’s power relies on the election laws,” Laudiangco said.

Laudiangco said the Comelec will also validate if the signatures gathered are from real people or if they are still alive

However, if election offenses were not committed, other government agencies could investigate the alleged bribery involved in the people’s initiative.

“If election laws were not violated, other government agencies that have jurisdiction over this issue could address this and investigate it. If it is an issue of deception, that’s another story. It would also different is if it was an issue of using public funds. The important thing is, the Comelec supports all the government agencies, we will address all complaints based on jurisdiction, the law, and facts,”  Laudiangco said.

It can be recalled that lawmakers claimed that some solons were involved in signature-buying for the people’s initiative.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman alleged that voters who would sign the petition for the people’s initiative would be given P100 each.

He and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel also accused Ako Bicol of bribing Albay Mayors to convince their constituents to support Charter change.

Senator Imee Marcos previously said she heard reports that P20 million worth of government aid was being offered to congressional districts in exchange for 20,000 signatures from voters by January 13 to ensure their constituents would give the three percent of total voters per municipality needed for a People’s Initiative to gain ground in amending the Constitution. Jaspearl Tan/DMS