EXPLAINER: What is charter change and why is it an issue in the Senate?

It was a “horrible propaganda video” that Senator Imee Marcos showed at the Senate plenary session on May 25 according to Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.

In the said video were accusations claiming certain lawmakers were in discussions to promote charter change.

According to the video, among the plans for charter change is a term extension for officials such as senators and members of congress, changing the age requirement for those running for President and the cancellation of the 2028 national elections.

After the video presentation and Senator Marcos’ privilege speech, Senator Zubiri submitted a motion to strike out the video from the record.

“I just want to point out that the video that the lady senator presented was obviously opinionated, a propaganda tool, right? It should be stricken off the record, Madam President. It’s unparliamentary,” Zubiri said.

The motion was supported by other members of the Senate minority who said the video contained “fake news”.

What is charter change and why did it become an issue in the Senate?

Charter change refers to any effort to amend or change the Constitution.

It is also called "constitutional reform”.

According to Article 17 of the Constitution, there are three ways to begin charter change and to present proposals for those who wish to change the Constitution.

1. First is the Constituent Assembly, or “Con-Ass”, where Congress itself, composed of senators and the House of Representatives, will lay out proposed changes to the Constitution. Three-fourths (¾) of the members of Congress are required for the Con-Ass to proceed.
2. Another way for charter change is through a Constitutional Convention or “Con-con” where separate groups would be assigned to present amendments. The people must vote for the members who will comprise the con-con.
3. Ordinary Filipinos can make proposed amendments to the Constitution through a People’s Initiative. According to the law, no fewer than 12% of the total voting population of the country are required to sign a petition. There should also be a representative from every legislative district who signed the petition. At least three percent of the total number of voters in each district must sign the People's Initiative.

When the proposed amendments are finalized, this will be subject to a vote through a “plebiscite,” before it can be fully apple to the Constitution.

The last time there were proposals to amend the Constitution was in 2024. In March of that year, Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 7 intended to amend some economic provisions in the Constitution passed the third reading in the House of Representatives. But the Senate did not act on it and it remained pending at the committee level until the end of the 19th Congress.

In August 2024, RBH 8, intended to extend the terms of members of Congress and reduce the terms of reelection, was presented before the House of Representatives. This too remained at the committee level of the House chamber until the end of the 19th Congress.

In the May 25, 2026 session, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, the former chairperson of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, refuted allegations there were talks that there would be charter change.

“From August 12 until May 11, Mr. President, the committee on constitutional amendments never held hearings on constitutional change. The Senate did not entertain charter change under my watch as chairman of the committee on constitutional amendments,” Pangilinan said.

Palace Press Office Undersecretary Claire Castro also denied allegations the administration is pushing for charter change.

“Ang daming meetings ng Pangulo pero hindi ‘yan ang agenda kasi walang balak na ganyan. Hindi ‘yan ang priority ng Pangulo at hindi ‘yan gagawin,” she said.

("The President has many meetings but that's not in the agenda because there is no plan for that. That's not the President's priority and that won't be done.")

Before the May 25 session ended, Senator Imee Marcos willingly withdrew from Senate records the video she presented, after this was suggested by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.

“Susumite ako sa hiling ng ating SP Alan na i-withdraw ang video kung ‘yan ang gusto. Sana kapalit niyan, ipangako nating lahat sa ating taumbayan na walang term extension na mangyayari at na may eleksyon sa 2028. ‘Yun lang po ang aking hinihiling,” she said.

(I will submit to our SP Alan's request to withdraw the video if that is what he wants. I hope in return, we all promise our people that there will be no term extension and that there will be elections in 2028. That is all I ask.) —RF, GMA News