Senators clashed Monday after a privilege speech alleging a possible “no-election” scenario in 2028 and renewed Charter change efforts triggered objections over the use of what was described as an opinionated video presentation on the Senate floor.
Sen. Imee Marcos, in her privilege speech, claimed that while Malacañang has repeatedly said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. does not support Charter change, moves to amend the Constitution remain alive in Congress.
She alleged that proposals filed in the House of Representatives, including measures calling for a Constitutional Convention and changes to term limits and age requirements for top national posts, could open the door to term extensions and a possible no-election scenario in 2028.
“Ang NO EL at term extension ay buhay na buhay sa mga patay na patay sa kapangyarihan,” Marcos said, referring to alleged efforts by those seeking to remain in power.
She also claimed that since April, while lawmakers were being urged to support the impeachment case, talks of a no-election scenario had grown stronger.
Marcos declined to be interpellated after delivering her speech.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri objected to the video presentation shown during the privilege speech, calling it “obviously opinionated” and a “propaganda tool.” He initially moved to have it stricken from the Senate records.
“I just want to point out that the video that the lady senator presented was obviously opinionated, a propaganda tool. It should be stricken off the record,” Zubiri said.
He said video presentations during privilege speeches are allowed, but warned that materials carrying opinionated claims and political insinuations should not be tolerated inside the chamber.
Zubiri also denied support for any move to amend the Constitution, recalling that senators previously united against a People’s Initiative effort to change the Charter.
He said all senators had once stood together to oppose that initiative and insisted that the chamber must protect its integrity.
“These people here, ladies and gentlemen, in this body, are not in favor of any amendments to the Constitution. We just want to bring back the integrity of this chamber,” Zubiri said.
The exchange prompted Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano to ask Marcos to withdraw the video presentation. Marcos agreed, leading Zubiri to withdraw his motion.
Sen. Vicente Sotto III later remarked that the Senate may need “Cha-Cha,” but not Charter change. He said what the institution needs is “character change.”
The incident underscored rising tensions in the Senate as debates over impeachment, Charter change, and the chamber’s internal divisions continue to dominate proceedings.