‘Support for Senate:’ Maroon ribbons worn as Cha-cha drama heats up

MANILA, Philippines — Wearing white, Senate employees on Monday distributed maroon ribbons to guests arriving at the building, saying these signify “Support for Senate” amid attempts to amend the 1987 Constitution.

Earlier, Senators lambasted their counterparts in the House of Representatives, whom they believe are stirring the ongoing push for People’s Initiative — one of the three ways to amend the Constitution.

READ: Senate, House clash over people’s initiative for Charter change

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said the signature campaign for people’s initiative Cha-cha is a blatant move to dismantle the upper chamber.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, whom reporters chanced upon when receiving his maroon ribbon, said he is one with the Senate in standing against the people’s initiative.

A pile of ribbons handed out by Senate External Affairs and Relations staff at the building’s entrance. INQUIRER.net / Charie Abarca

“Nakikiisa tayo sa Senado laban sa people’s initiative na ang layunin ay tanggalin ang Senado at mawala ang checks and balance ng ating sistema. Kapag natuloy itong people’s initiative ay isang tao na lang ang mag dedesisyon para amyendahan ang ating Konstitusyon at hindi maganda ‘yan para sa ating lahat. So nakikiisa tayo sa Senado,” Gatchalian told reporters in an ambush interview.

(We are one with the Senate standing against the people’s initiative, which seeks to dismantle the Senate and remove checks and balances in our system. If people’s initiative pushes through, only one person will decide whether or not our Constitution should be amended, and that’s not good for us all. So we are one with the Senate.)

Oxford crimson, or maroon, is the official color of the Senate.

The ribbons are worn like armbands. It simply signifies “support for the Senate.” INQUIRER.net / Noy Morcoso

All arriving individuals – both guests and employees – are welcomed with the ribbons. INQUIRER.net / Noy Morcoso