WHAT THEY SAID: Senators weigh in on Imee Marcos' video claiming con-ass plots
Sen. Imee Marcos presented a video alleging that some senators are part of talks to push for constitutional amendments.
In her privilege speech during the May 25 Senate session, Marcos showed a video claiming that former Senate President Tito Sotto met with House Speaker Bojie Dy and discussed charter change via con-ass. It further alleged that there were plots to extend President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s term and raise the minimum age requirement for the presidency to 50 to block Vice President Sara Duterte's bid for the top office.
Marcos later withdrew the controversial video after a request from Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and after Sen. Migz Zubiri made a motion to strike it off the record.
'Propaganda'
Ten of the 11 minority senators slammed Marcos' presentation, calling it "propaganda." Sen. Lito Lapid was the only one who didn't second Zubiri's motion.
Zubiri, in an emotional speech, cited Sections 93, 94, and 95 of the Senate rules. Sec. 94 states, "No senator shall use offensive or improper language against another senator or against any public institution."
"That the video the Lady Senator presented was obviously opinionated, a propaganda tool, should be stricken off the record. It’s unparliamentary," he said, adding that he is against charter change.
"All of us together, kaming lahat, for the first time in the history of the Senate, tumayo diyan at pinasa natin ‘yung kontra fake people’s initiative. Kinall out natin lahat ng grupo, from the Speaker and even Malacañang kinalaban natin. Kaya wala kaming kinalaman diyan. Bakit nga ba’t sinama kami sa propagandang 'yan?"
He added that former Senate president Tito Sotto never talked about charter change with him.
"Inday Badiday na ba tayo dito sa Senado? Kaya sinabing we’re a circus. We’re a circus because this type of language we’re pushing in this august chamber, it’s unparliamentary. These people here in this body are not in favor of any amendments to the Constitution; we just want to bring back the integrity of this same chamber. Cannot we discuss that as a group, as a chamber?"
Meanwhile, Sotto said he took exception that he was mentioned in the video.
"Parang lumalabas na parang lahat ng narinig nila, or nakipag-meeting sa akin ang Speaker, na parang pumayag ako. Sana tinanong nila yung source nila, pumayag ba ako [sa] mga binabanggit na idea? I did not even mention to any member of the Senate tungkol dun sa mga ideas of the regional senate and all that [...] I have never been in favor of Cha-cha. Never," Sotto said.
"I really take offense. I take exception to what was presented. As far as the issue of my involvement in Chacha is concerned. I vehemently deny. I had nothing to do with that."
Sen. Erwin Tulfo, for his part, said that the video was not fact-based.
"[Instead] of trying to regain the credibility of this Senate, ano na lamang at babanatin mismo ang ating institution?" he said. "Mabuti sana kung facts-based ang mga pinresent kanina, eh haka-haka lamang po. Alala ko nga po fake news pinapanood ko."
Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, who formerly chaired the Senate commission on constitutional amendments, echoed this, saying, "disinformation has no place in this chamber."
"From Aug. 12 until May 11, the committee on Con amendments never held hearings on constitutional change. That in itself is proof na haka-haka, this conspiracy to amend the constitution for whatever reason, self-serving, term extension, no el, etc. These are lies," he remarked.
For his part, Sen. Win Gatchalian said that the video "won't help" with restoring the Senate's dignity. "Bagkus, ito rin ay magkakaroon ng negatibong epekto sa pananaw ng ating mga kababayan sa institusyon na mahal natin at gusto nating protektahan."
Meanwhile, Sen. Ping Lacson confirmed that he walked in on a conversation between Sotto and Dy talking about charter change. "Ako naman, walang seryoso sa pinag-usapan kaya I shared," he stated after sharing that he told an "eating club," which included politicians. "Kwentuhan lang 'yun. Kung seryoso, hindi ko ke-kwento 'yun. I also confirm manifestations of several of my colleagues. Never namin napag-usapan 'yan sa many caucuses that we held," he said.
Sen. Bam Aquino also denied the allegations, saying that the minority never discussed charter change.
"Sa totoo lang po, marami dito ang ipaglalaban ang 1987 Constitution [...] Marami rin dito hindi papayag sa no election scenario," he said.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo criticized the presentation. "Sana 'wag natin gamitin ang plenary para sa conspiracy theories natin," he said.
Raffy, who's in broadcasting, added that an exposé should also be backed up by facts. "Hindi yung gawa-gawa, hindi yung kathang isip, hindi yung opinion," he said.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros seconded this, saying, "Delivering a privileged speech is not the same as having fake news entered into the official record as if it were evidence."
"The materials presented made serious claims about the intentions of fellow senators, including allegations about pursuing charter change without presenting proof sufficient to support those conclusions. Kung may alegasyon tungkol sa charter change, ipakita ang boto, panukala, o aksyon. Wag naman hahantung pa sa conspiracy theories."
Sen. JV Ejercito further echoed the sentiment: "Let us not allow this august institution to be used as a platform for disinformation."
Objection
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta was the only senator to object Zubiri's motion, stating, I have not heard any word from Imee Marcos that offended the sensibilities of our counterparts in the minority."
'Dapat makiisa'
Cayetano, for his part, requested Marcos withdraw the video. "Dapat makiisa po tayo sa paniniwala ng bawat isa out of respect, not sa same paniniwala."
He added that senators using offensive or improper language against their fellow lawmakers "has happened many times."
"Why do we have this rule? Because we are collegial. We have to go home upset at each other, but we have to go back tomorrow and work."
Marcos eventually agreed to withdraw the video.
What is charter change?
Charter change pertains to the political and legal processes that amend provisions in the 1987 Constitution.
There are three ways to push for cha-cha: constitutional convention (con-con), in which delegates from various fields will oversee proposals; constituent assembly (con-ass), in which incumbent lawmakers will take charge; and people's initiative, a petition from 12% of total registered voters.
In January 2024, all 24 senators rejected the push for cha-cha via people's initiative.