Marcos admits PI for Charter change politically exploited

FILE PHOTO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has acknowledged that the people’s initiative (PI) to amend the 1987 Constitution has been politicized. In an interview in Vietnam on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, Marcos said he has been in continuous discussions with both chambers of Congress amid their ongoing clash over the PI. | Photo from PCO

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has acknowledged that the people’s initiative (PI) to amend the 1987 Constitution has been politicized.

In an interview in Vietnam on Tuesday, Marcos said he has been in continuous discussions with both chambers of Congress amid their ongoing clash over the PI.

Marcos held a state visit in Vietnam early this week. His interview there was only released to members of the Filipino media on Wednesday.

“Napupunta sa ibang usapan, eh, at nagagamit na pangpulitika itong isyu na ito (It goes to another conversation, and this issue is being used politically). So, I’ve asked the leaders of both Houses and, again, some of the best constitutional minds that we have in the Philippines to come up with a simpler solution that does not cause so much controversy,” he said.

READ: Marcos unsure if people’s initiative to amend Charter still viable

Marcos, nevertheless, remained firm in his position that the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution must be changed.

He also said that the Senate and House of Representatives must be kept separate in the revised version of the country’s principal Charter.

“I met with our legal luminaries and tried to find a way dahil ‘yan naman talaga ang aabutin nila, are the economic provisions that I have been talking about for this, many, many years already,” he said.

(I met with our legal luminaries and tried to find a way because that’s really what they’re going to take, are the economic provisions that I have been talking about for this, many, many years already.)

READ: Marcos firm on Charter change and keeping Senate, House separate

“The best analysis and interpretation that we have is that the legislature is of a bicameral nature, and therefore, that implies that they will vote separately. So, how that will be done now is what we are trying to figure out, how will it be done so that both Houses’ role in this bicameral system is preserved, and that is what we are working on right now,” Marcos added.

The PI for Charter change considers a joint voting of the Senate and House of Representatives. The 24-member Senate, however, was cool to the idea, pointing out that they may easily be eclipsed by the House, which has more than 300 lawmakers.

Even the President’s relatives in Congress have clashed over the PI with his sister, Senator Imee Marcos, and cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez, figuring in a heated verbal exchange on the issue.

READ: Comelec suspends proceedings for people’s initiative to amend Charter

During a senate hearing on PI, Imee Marcos presented a video of Romualdez saying: “wala kayong pakialam sa PI (you have no concern on PI).”

While not addressing anyone specifically, Senator Marcos said such shamelessness can’t be cured.

In reply, Romualdez said in a statement that there was no need to be rude.