The president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Oriental Negros chapter said he believes that Malacañang was behind the signature campaign to push for a change in the 1987 Constitution.

Rodrigo Icao, who said he was airing his own personal opinion and not that of the IBP chapter, reiterated that the people's initiative being pushed by public employees to change the Constitution was illegal.

Icao was reacting to the signature drive that highlighted the recent annual barangay assemblies of all 557 barangays in Oriental Negros.

He said government officers and their staff would not have pursued the signature drive for Charter change if they did not have the blessings of the Palace.

Icao said officers and employees were blatantly using government resources, including service work hours, and could be hailed to court if it is confirmed that they use government money and resources to collect the signatures.

He said that, under the Constitution, public servants are not allowed to interfere in political controversies.

Icao said he is in favor of amending obsolete provisions of the Constitution and to call for a people's initiative to do it, but a law must first be passed before it can be pursued.*RG

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