Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri said on Saturday, Dec. 16, that a survey would be able to gauge whether or not the Filipino people would be inclined to amend the existing Charter or not.

In a radio interview on DWIZ, Zubiri suggested that a survey be done by the most reliable pollster to ask the question regarding constitutional provisions on term limits and proposals to increase the years that politicians are in power.

"Siguro magandang itanong yun sa taumbayan muna, sa survey. Pakinggan natin sila di ba? Kung overwhelming naman na ayaw, e bakit natin pipilitin? Meron namang sumasang-ayon at overhwelming yung sumasang-ayon, sino naman kami na mga Senador na tututol at kontrahin yun? Kaya pakinggan natin ang pulso ng ating kababayan (I think it's good to ask that to people through a survey. Let's listen to them, right? If a lot disagree then why will we force it? If there those who agree, then who are we senators to oppose that? Let's see the pulse of our citizens)," he said.

Zubiri also stated that they'd like to wait for the results of the study by the executive regarding this issue before they discuss it. President Marcos said that they are studying tweaks to the economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution that will make the Philippines more investment-friendly.

The Senate President also mentioned that House Speaker Martin Romualdez spoke with him and disclosed that they might pursue People's Initiative (PI) for Charter change (Cha-cha). The House of Representatives intends to revive talks on Cha-cha next year.

"That's the prerogative of each and any one of us. Kasi manggagaling po sa taumbayan yan eh. Wala na po kami diyan sa Senado. (Because that will come from the citizens. Senate is no longer part of that). That's going down to the grassroots," he said.

"We can't stop them if they want to because that's their prerogative," he added.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia said that they are prepared if a PI would be made.

Under Republic Act (RA) No. 6735 or The Initiative and Referendum Act, to exercise the power of initiative or referendum, at least ten per centum (10 percent) of the total number of the registered voters, of which every legislative district is represented by at least three per centum (3 percent) of the registered voters thereof, shall sign a petition for the purpose and register the same with the Commission.

Meanwhile, Zubiri says that while he respects the position of his colleagues in the Senate and the House, he maintains that he's a consensus-builder.

"I'll just wait on colleagues on their pronouncements as well as our collective decision. Kasi alam mo as far as we're concerned, amendments to the charter is a three-fourths vote hindi two-thirds. Kailangan mo ng boto ng 18 senator (You need the vote of 18 senators)," he said.

"Kaya medyo mabigat ang diskusyon ng Charter change sa amin sa Senado dahil mayroon talagang mga kasamahan ako diyan na talagang ayaw nila (That's why the discussion of Charter Change in the Senate is quite heavy since there are senators who are really against it)," he added.