The Oriental Negros and Dumaguete City offices of the Commission on Election are poised to verify the signatures of all voters who signed in the people's initiative campaign to change the Constitution during the barangay assemblies held late last week.

Manuel Advincula, COMELEC assistant regional director was in Dumaguete City early this week to start what he called the "menu of the day," or to begin the signature verification in compliance with the order of their central office. Advincula said his next round of visits will be in Siquijor to make sure that all COMELEC offices comply with the order of Commissioner Resurrecion Borra.

The provincial and city election offices received the order Monday.

Advincula said the verification was legal and is "for the interest of the whole country".

He explained that all signatures must be verified to make sure that there are no duplications and that the signatories were legitimate voters of each barangay, town, or city.

Advincula said complying with the order was part of their ministerial functions as government employees.

He added that COMELEC central office legal department director, Aleodin Dalaeg, has seen no legal impediment to the verification order.*

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