Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri said that he is prepared to "risk" his position in the upper chamber should the push to amend the 1987 Constitution go beyond economic provisions.

Zubiri allayed fears that political revisions to the existing Charter may be proposed in the Senate's journey in amending economic provisions. He mentioned that almost all the senators he spoke with only agreed to economic amendments.

"That’s why the public need not fear our push for simple but meaningful amendments to the Charter," he said.

"I shall risk my leadership on that. No other motives whatsoever," he added.

Zubiri recently announced that the Senate, as tasked by President Marcos, will take the lead in the discussions of the economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution.

He filed the Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 proposing amendments to Articles XII, XIV, and XVI of the 1987 Constitution, which he drafted together with Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Angara.

Meanwhile, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros strongly cautioned her colleagues in the Senate on how the Charter change (Cha-cha) journey is "treacherous, impractical, divisive, and unwise."

"ChaCha can be transformative, but not when it is triggered by multiple hidden agendas, power struggle, and in-group bickering," she said in a statement.

"Like my Senate Minority Leader, I am wondering: Ano ang mayroon at bakit biglang gumugulong at ipinipilit sa taumbayan ang Charter Change? (Why is Cha-cha suddenly being imposed upon the citizens?)" she added.

Hontiveros also stated that if the push is for foreign investments, it would be better if they would improve the confidence of investors and also build confidence in governance by eliminating corruption and improving the business environment, not by creating more instability through Cha-cha.

She added that amending the Constitution to open more of the country's most crucial industries — like public utilities, education, and advertising — to 100 percent foreign ownership will only expose the country to security risks and weaken national interests in a time of global unrest.

"The proposal’s ultimate objective of stimulating and attracting more foreign investment is already addressed by present laws because the major part of our nation’s economy is already available for foreign participation, such as through the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, Foreign Investments Act, and Public Service Act," she said.

According to Hontiveros, even now, a lot are experiencing difficulties from the security risk and poor service brought by 40 percent ownership of China of the state grid operator, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). She said that this is a giant red flag that should not be ignored and that it is "very obvious" that this Cha-cha will not end this, and other economic woes.

"So I am appealing to my colleagues in the Senate, let us move for more practical solutions that don't involve creating bigger problems," she said.

Hontiveros said that the public's need is no secret which includes lower price of goods, better wage for workers, improved public transportation, and an honest and responsible government.transportasyon, at isang pamahalaan na tapat at may pananagutan.

"In various surveys, time and again, our kababayans have remained undeniably vocal about their immediate needs," she said.

"Let us not get distracted by the shiny allure of ChaCha, when, beneath all the gloss, it will only trap us in a never-ending cycle of political maneuvering," she added.