Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara on Wednesday, February 28 welcomed the current moves in amending the 1987 Constitution which is gearing towards the holding of the Charter change (Cha-cha) plebiscite alongside the May 2025 midterm elections.
In an interview, Angara, who chairs the Senate subcommittee leading the review of the existing Charter's economic provisions, mentioned however that he is not yet certain regarding its finality and that all the decision-makers on the matter must come to an agreement so they must coordinate with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as well as other stakeholders.
Angara said that they must decide on this before the last quarter of the year.
He added that he was glad that President Marcos supported the idea of conducting the plebiscite alongside the May 2025 polls to save money.
President Marcos has reportedly supported proposals for the Charter change plebiscite to be held conducted alongside next year's polls. Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said the President mentioned this to the senators during their recent meeting in Malacañang.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia also agrees with the idea adding that if the plebiscite is held separate from the 2025 polls, it will cost the government P13 billion.
This is the same cost as conducting a Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Zubiri welcomed this statement made by Garcia which he considers a huge amount that can be used somewhere else to “promote the welfare of our citizens.”
He said that this strategic move not only streamlines the electoral processes but also saves valuable resources, saying that P13 billion is a significant amount that could be allocated towards critical infrastructure projects and social programs that will benefit our nation.
"This amount could potentially fund the construction of around 5,200 classrooms! Alternatively, it could be allocated to various other programs aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos, such as poverty alleviation initiatives, agricultural development projects or infrastructure improvements in rural areas," Zubiri said in a statement.
"I agree with the position of the Comelec. With limited resources and competing priorities, it is imperative that we maximize every peso spent to address the most pressing needs of our citizens, and it also aligns with the vision of the President for the country," he added.
Should this push through, what will happen according to Garcia is that the ballot will be longer, but there will be no additional cost or the need for additional supplies and equipment.
Angara said that this, along with the question that will be put on the ballot would be part of a hearing that they will conduct related to the operationalization of Cha-cha.
"May konting adjustments dyan. Kasi we have to see kung ano yung final na lalabas sa balota. So, yun yung mga operational details na kailangang pag-isipang mabuti (There are a few adjustments there. Because we have to see what will the final ballot be)," he explained.
"I think you might have to place the whole [question] --- but we will consult the Comelec, kasi (because) I think the last plebiscite in the country noon pang 1980 if I am not mistaken. So we have to consult the Comelec as to what is the actual [question] – para compliant tayo (so we are compliant)," he said.
Regarding the timeline, Angara said that there is still time to plan and there are a lot of months before their original target, which is October, to sort out the details.