(MANILA BULLETIN)

Pro-Charter change (Cha-cha) congressmen took in stride on Wednesday, Feb. 28 President Marcos' statement that he was "carefully studying" the proposal to hold the plebiscite for the constitutional revision alongside the 2025 midterm polls. 

Deputy Majority Leader Mandaluyong City lone district Rep. Neptali Gonzales II, Davao Oriental 2nd district Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario, AnaKalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray Reyes, and South Cotabato 2nd district Rep. Peter Miguel all gave positive and constructive comments on this pronouncement, despite them belongjng to the legislative chamber that wants to hold the Cha-cha plebiscite as soon as possible. 

“My sense is, there’s no problem with that (synchronized plebiscite and 2025 polls). In fact, that’s very practical and very economical," Gonzales said in a press conference with his three fellow House members. 

“If we will go by the PCOS (Precinct Count Optical Scan) machine, maglalagay ka lang naman duon ng portion na 'yes or no'. So wala talagang additional cost,” he said. 

(You only need to put on the ballot a 'yes or no' question for the ratification of the amendments. So there's really no additional cost.) 

On Wednesday morning, Marcos said that a major consideration for the possible simultaneous holding of the plebiscite and 2025 elections was the huge savings that the government would have. 

“I think that this would still merit further study,” Almario chimed in on the issue. 

“On a practicality sense, maganda naman kung pwede nating maipagsabay (it would be good if we can hold them at the same time). But considering that this involves the Constitution, we will look into what are the possibilities that we can explore,” he said. 

“For now we cannot say with confidence yet as we need to look into all the avenues, all the possibilities, and what the law provides that we can do or cannot do,” he added. 

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) previously stated that at least P13 billion would be required for a separate plebiscite. Reyes said he recognized the poll body's concerns. 

“Meron na bang bagong ruling na nagsasabing hindi na pwedeng ipagsabay ang plebisito sa election? And then from there we can make an informed decision para po naman mas maging confident ang public that we have exhausted all legal and practical avenues para po magawa ang plebisito at midterm elections,” Reyes said. 

(Is there a new ruling that says the plebiscite and elections can't be held at the same time? And then from there we can make an informed decision so that the public would be more confident that we have exhausted all legal and practical avenues for the conduct of the plebiscite and midterm elections.) 

Plebiscite cost could be worth it 

For his part, Miguel raised a potential legal obstacle, as he cited previous rulings of the Supreme Court (SC) that may prohibit the simultaneous conduct of the plebiscite and elections. 

Miguel stressed the importance of conducting a comprehensive study to determine the feasibility of such a proposal. 

At the same time, he said that the P13-billion price tag for a separate plebiscite could ultimately be worth it--as the cost of admission for Cha-cha--if it leads to "an influx of foreign investment to the tune of billions of dollars". 

The 300-plus strong House is deliberating on its economic Cha-cha measure--Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.7--in a Committee of the Whole set-up. This means that all members can participate. 

On the other hand, the Senate is currently tackling its counterpart measure--RBH No.6--through a sub-committee.