By Mae Singuay

More than 69,000 residents in Bacolod City signed a petition which supports the initiative for the amendment of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Bacolod officer Kathrina Trinio-Caña said they received the signature sheets in relation to the initiative for the Charter change on January 12.

A total of 69,098 signatures were affixed to the forms.

Trinio-Caña said the initiative’s proponent in the locality is Atty. Anthony Abad.

Comelec-Bacolod said they are waiting for the en banc’s order for the verification of signatures to ensure that the signatories are registered voters in the city.

For now, the documents will be for safekeeping.

Trinio-Caña said anyone, including government officials, can initiate a signature campaign as long as there are no government funds involved./MS, WDJ