Weaken Senate? Palace says Cha-cha not being discussed

Malacañang on Tuesday denied the allegation by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano that there was an attempt to weaken the Senate by pushing for the amendment of the 1987 Constitution.

Specifically, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said that she does not see how the recent commotion at the Senate could connect to the supposed Charter change bid.

“Hindi namin makita 'yung koneksyon na sinasabi niyang intriga na Constitutional change. Wala rin naman siyang ibinigay na detalye… Kung intriga 'yan, mahirap paniwalaan,” she said.

(We cannot see the connection between the recent events and supposed plans to change the Constitution. He did not provide any details… If it is a conspiracy, it is hard to believe that.)

“Wala pong ganun. Hindi po 'yan totoo,” she added.

(There is no such thing. That is not true.)

Castro was reacting to a statement by Cayetano that the alleged attacks on the Senate began in 2023 when there were proposals to “abolish” the chamber.

The Senate President also claimed that recent events appeared connected to renewed moves to amend the Constitution.

But the Palace Press Officer said that plans for Charter change were never discussed.

“Sa Palasyo hindi po 'yan napag-uusapan. Sa anumang meeting, hindi po 'yan napag-uusapan. Sa totoo lang po nung mga unang taon ng Pangulo, sabi niya ang Constitutional change ay hindi ito sagot sa ating mga issues ngayon,” Castro. said

(That's not discussed within the Palace. That's not discussed at any meeting. In fact, in the early years of the President, he said that Constitutional change is not the answer to our problems.)

“'Yung pagpapalawak o 'yung pagpapa-extend ng term, wala po 'yang napapag-usapan. Hindi ko alam saan hinuhugot ni Sen. Alan Cayetano 'yung sinasabi po niya. Siguro kung makakapagbigay po siya ng anumang detalye, at least magkakaroon po tayo ng basehan,” she continued.

(There is no discussion about the expansion or extension of the term. I don't know where Sen. Alan Cayetano is getting that idea. Maybe if he can provide any details, at least we will have a basis.)

Castro also recalled that Senator Robin Padilla—a member of the new Senate majority bloc—is among those who have long been pushing to revise the Charter through a constitutional convention.

To recall, Vice President Sara Duterte also raised concerns over supposed discussions on Charter change, which she said could lead to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. remaining in power beyond his term.

Malacañang, however, refuted Duterte’s allegations which they described as “baseless and unsubstantiated.” —RF, GMA News