Senate manifesto nixes people’s initiative, warns of no-el scenario

All 24 senators have signed a manifesto rejecting the people’s initiative for Charter change (Cha-cha) and warning of a possible no-election scenario. | PHOTO: Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri

Updated on January 23, 2024 at 4:37 p.m.

MANILA, Philippines — All 24 senators have signed a manifesto rejecting the people’s initiative (PI) for Charter change (Cha-cha) and warning of a possible no-election scenario.

The manifesto was read before the Senate floor by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri immediately after the session resumed on Tuesday.

“Today, the Senate once again stands as the country’s last bastion of democracy, as it rejects this brazen attempt to violate the Constitution, the country and our people,” read the manifesto, a copy of which was later released to reporters.

“This Senate of the people will not allow itself to be silenced,” it stressed.

While recognizing the people’s right to call for Constitutional amendments, the upper chamber underscored the need to “guard against any sinister and underhanded attempt to change the Constitution by exploiting our democratic process under the guise of a people’s initiative.”

The office of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri releases copy of Senate’s manifesto against the people’s initiative for Charter change.

This so-called PI only wants one thing, the manifesto said: For the Senate and the House of Representatives to vote jointly on any changes to the 1987 Constitution.

“While it seems simple, the goal is apparent — to make it easier to revise the Constitution by eliminating the Senate from the equation,” it said.

“It is an obvious prelude to further amendments, revisions, or even an overhaul of our entire Constitution,” it further said.

The manifesto likewise warned that if the PI succeeds, then changes to the Constitution can be done with or without the approval of the Senate “or worse, even absent all the senators.”

The Senate reiterated that allowing the two chambers to vote jointly on any amendments to the Constitution would destabilize the principle of bicameralism and the system of checks and balances.

If this happens, the upper house would be left “powerless to stop even the most radical proposals” like opening land ownership to foreigners.

“We cannot stop the removal of term limits or a no-election scenario in 2025 or worse, in 2028,” the Senate also pointed out.

In signing the manifesto, Padilla reiterated his support for Cha-cha and the three modes of amending the Constitution:  Via a constitutional convention, a constituent assembly and a people’s initiative.

He, however, stressed his stand against the proposed joint voting on Cha-cha.

“Ako ay laban sa Congress voting jointly. Dapat ay separately,” he said.

In a text message to reporters Monday night, Padilla  said he would abstain from the manifesto, saying he is obviously in favor of the PI.

In a bid to stop the PI, Zubiri himself filed a resolution on January 15, proposing changes to certain economic provisions of the Constitution.

The resolution was co-authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Senator Sonny Angara .