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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Cha-cha plebiscite during 2025 polls? Solons want to hear it from PBBM himself 

Cha-cha plebiscite during 2025 polls? Solons want to hear it from PBBM himself 

Published Feb 27, 2024 06:08 am

At A Glance

  • 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez and Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list Rep. Migs Nograles have acknowledged that having a time frame on the Charter change effort is good.
  • However, they noted that it's best to hear such pronouncement from President Marcos himself.

20240227_112252.jpg1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez (left), PBA Party-list Rep. Migs Nograles (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

It's better to hear it straight from President Marcos.

Proponents of Charter change (Cha-cha) in the House of Representatives had this to say in a press conference Tuesday, Feb. 27 in reaction to Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri's claim that the Palace position was to have the plebiscite done alongside the 2025 midterm elections.

1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez and Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list Rep. Migs Nograles both acknowledged that while having a time frame or working deadline is good, nothing beats hearing it from the chief executive himself.

Reading Zubiri's statement, Gutierrez said: "Definitely what the signal that it says to us, to me particularly, is that mukhang may sinusunod talaga tayo na deadline (it appears that we must really follow a deadline) of sorts. Definitely they want this to be done before the elections."

"So, I think for the purpose of constitutional amendment, this is a welcome development in the sense na may final (that there is a final)---First of all, just to clarify, I'm not sure yet. This is just sinabi ni SP (Senate President) based on a conversation. Although ideally, I would like to hear it personally from the President," said the minority solon.

For Nograles, Zubiri's pronouncement has no bearing on the work of the House, which began Monday, Feb. 26 its deliberations on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.7 as a Committee of the Whole.

"In anything that we do in decision-making naman, we have to be smart about it. Yung smart is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. So it's good that we do have this time frame, although we have yet to hear what the President really has to say about this," she said.

"And sana po, yung mga pinag-uusapan, closed doors, is respected in terms of confidentiality na yung Presidente lang naman po makakasabi kung ano po talaga yung gusto niya," added the deputy majority leader.

(And hopefully, those that were discussed behind closed doors are respected in terms of confidentiality, and only the Presidente can say what he really wants.)

"And it will also be up to Comelec (Commission on Elections), which is beyond our work scope, kung kaya nila at kung kailan nila magagawa. Depende rin yan sa resources," Nograles further said.

"But as far as the House is concerned, patuloy po yung trabaho (our work continues). And we will exhaustively look into the economic provisions for the Constitution. And look into, and hear the different resource persons to consider while looking into RBH No. 7," she said.

The plebiscite will ultimately determine whether or not the Filipino people will accept the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

Pro-Cha-cha solons had wanted to carry out such plebiscite within 2024, a year before the polls.

Marcos had earlier expressed his backing of the bid to amend the restrictive economic provisions of the Charter.

Related Tags

juan miguel migz zubiri plebiscite 2025 President Marcos
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