Imee Marcos claims Cha-cha in the works; minority senators cry fake news

Senator Imee Marcos on Monday accused the current administration of pushing for charter change and a possible extension of officials' terms, prompting sharp objections from several senators who sought to have her presentation stricken from the Senate records.

During a privilege speech, Marcos presented a video that purportedly contained documentation, footage, and statements alleging efforts to amend the Constitution through a Constitutional Assembly.

The same video also claimed there were moves to extend the terms of incumbent officials until 2031, lower the age requirement for presidential candidates to 35 years old, and cancel the 2028 presidential elections.

"Impeachment, no elections, term extension. Ito ang inaatupag ng ilang mambabatas na nagiging mambubutas ng sikmura ng taumbayan," Marcos said.

(Impeachment, no elections, term extension. These are what other lawmakers are prioritizing.)

"Inuuna ito kaysa gutom, trabaho, kalusugan, kabuhayan. Gusto nilang pahabain ang paghihirap ng Pilipino, gusto ata nilang gumapang ang bayan sa dusa, gaya ng paggpaang ng mga buwaya sa kaban ng bayan at konstitusyon," she said.

(They prioritize this instead of focusing on hunger, work, health, and livelihood. They want to extend the suffering of Filipinos. It seems they want the country to crawl in hardship, much like the crocodiles crawling over the national treasury and the Constitution.)

‘Horrible propganda’

A visibly irate Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri objected to the presentation and moved to strike the video from the Senate record, describing it as a "horrible propaganda".

The motion was seconded by several minority senators but was objected by Senator Rodante Marcoleta.

"Point of order. Under Sections 93, 94, and 95 on unparliamentary acts and language, 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, Madam President," Zubiri said.

Zubiri also recalled being among the first senators to oppose the People's Initiative-backed charter change efforts and noted that all 24 senators eventually rejected the proposal.

"When you come up with a propaganda tool like that hitting all of us, it makes us look like we are on the wrong side and on the side of the devil. We all have principles here, Madam President. Therefore, you can see my passion on this," he said.

"I move to strike that horrible propaganda video off the records of this great institution, Madam President," he added.

'Fake news'

Marcos’ video and claims were branded as “fake news” by some of her colleagues who constitute the minority bloc.

“Let us not allow this august institution to be used as a platform for disinformation. Fake news is already a serious problem in our country, one that continues to mislead the public, distort important issues, and erode trust in our institutions,” Senator JV Ejercito said.

Senator Kiko Pangilinan said he supports and seconds the motion to strike off the record Marcos’ video.

“Clearly, disinformation has no place in this chamber, Mr. President. Sowing of intrigues has no place in this Plenary hall. Fake news has no place in this Plenary,” he said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros described what she was “fake news”: “Hindi ako sensitibo sa puna, sanay ako diyan. Pero ang pinakita po na video ay fake news. Hindi ko yan pwedeng hayaan na nandyan na lang unchallenged. Delivering a privilege speech is not the same as having the privilege to have fake news entered in the official records as if it were evidence.”

(I am not sensitive to criticism, I am used to it. But the video that was shown is fake news. I cano not allow that to remain unchallenged.)

Former senate president Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, who was implicated in Marcos’ video, denied the allegations. He also said instead of charter-change, he is pushing for character change.

"Sana tinanong nila ang source nila. Pumayag ba ako? Porke narinig mo, lalabas dito na para bang ako ay nakikiisa. I have nothing to do with the allegations on cha-cha," Sotto said.

(They should have verified their source and asked whether I agreed to it. Just because someone heard something does not mean I support it. I have nothing to do with the allegations involving charter change.)

Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson likewise disputed the claims and said it was him who shared the purported talks with political analyst Lito Banayo.

"Wala seryoso sa pinag-uusapan so I shared.. Kuwentuhan lang ‘yun pero kung seryoso yun, hindi ko ikukuwento," Lacson said.

(There was nothing serious that was discussed so I shared… It was just banter but if it was serious. I would no have shared it.)

Other minority senators likewise objected to the presentation including Senator Raffy Tulfo, who denounced it as “hao siao”, a term denoting it was fake.

"Sana huwag natin gamitin yung plenary para sa conspiracy theories natin sana maging totoo lang tayo," Tulfo said.

(I hope we would not use the plenary as a platform to air our conspiracy theories.)

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, for his part, later appealed to Marcos to voluntarily withdraw the video from the record. Marcos eventually agreed.

"Sana kapalit niyan ipangako natin lahat sa ating taumbayan na walang term extension na mangyayari at may election sa 2028," she said.

(In exchange, I hope we can promise the public there will be no term extension and there will be an election in 2028.)

Zubiri also withdrew his motion. —RF, GMA News