Marcos won’t hinder ‘democratic debate’ on Cha-cha in Congress

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said that he will not interfere in Congressional discussions about Charter change.

The two chambers of Congress have been in an uproar over the people’s initiative, which aims to allow the Senate and the House of Representatives to jointly vote on cha-cha.

Addressing leaders from the House of Representatives on Constitution Day, Marcos said that they must protect the Constitution.

“We must allow this healthy and democratic debate to rage on, engaging and informing the minds of our citizenry, especially since the socio-economic development of our country is directly involved,” Marcos said in his speech in Makati.

“I will neither hinder this dialogue, nor encroach on the prerogatives of Congress and the sovereign will of the Filipino people,” said Marcos.

READ: Cha-cha: House coup against Senate

Marcos said that the country’s bicameral system works well.

“Our bicameral Congress and our built-in system of checks and balances are wonders to behold.  We must allow our democratic institutions and mechanisms, made possible by our constitutional order, to take their natural course,” said Marcos.

According to Marcos, there have been over 300 measures filed in the House of Representatives since the 8th Congress to amend economic provisions in the Constitution.

READ: House, Senate agree on ceasefire over People’s Initiative