El Shaddai leader shuns people’s initiative

Add another voice to those opposing the government-backed people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution. On Monday, El Shaddai leader Bro. Mariano “Mike" Velarde cast his lot on those against the petition filed by the Sigaw ng Bayan (Sigaw) and the Union of Local Authorities in the Philippines (ULAP) before the Commission on Elections. Velarde said his objection to moves on amending the Charter was premised on the fact that the petition submitted to the Comelec contains no provision for the conduct of elections in 2007. “Definitely there is no election scenario in 2007 and I am opposing this," said Velarde, whose group claims membership reaching in the millions. He said the proponents of the people’s initiative not only failed to include next year’s elections in their petition but also failed to explain the contents of their petition in their signature drive. At the same time, Velarde called on the Comelec and the Supreme Court to seriously examine the signatures attached to the petition and verify the authenticity of the signatures and the certification issued by local election officers. As if to underscore his opposition to the people’s initiative, Velarde even rejected overtures from House Speaker Jose de Venecia for him to support moves to amend the Constitution. “During the anniversary celebration of El Shaddai last week, Speaker De Venecia attempted to convince Bro. Mike into supporting the people’s initiative which he (Velarde) turned down," said a person close to the charismatic leader. Mel Robles, spokesman for Bro. Mike, clarified that Velarde was not actually opposing the amendments of the 19-year-old Charter. What he is objecting to is the timing of the proposed amendments and the way it is being undertaken. “What he is against is Charter change through people’s initiative," Robles said. -GMANews.TV