MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – Pangasinan Vice Gov. Oscar B. Lambino has denied charges that national and provincial officials paid barangay captains in order to force the to gather signatures from the people seeking amendment to the constitution.
 

Speaking soon after the conduct of barangay assemblies Saturday and Sunday, Lambino said the barangay officials are involved because somebody has to supervise to see to it that the signature are authentic and not forged.
 

This is necessary because these signatures will have to pass the Commission on Elections for it to verify whether these signatures are authentic or not.
 

“This was not a moro-moro. This was not the true initiative of the people, and, of course, with the help of local readers,” he said.
 

Explaining the barangay assemblies, the Pangasinan vice governor said there is nothing wrong with these because after all it is the people’s initiative that they were doing so that the issues will be clearly explained to the people.
 

“We want the people to be aware so that they will be empowered to make the right decision when the time comes, he said.
 

This is because the amendment will go through a plebiscite in which the people will be the final judge, Lambino added.
 

“We, leaders, are saying that we need a change because for a long, long time, we have been under a presidential form of government and it seems that we are not getting anywhere and is taking us too much time,” he said. (PNA)