President Marcos said he would not meddle in talks about amending the 1987 Constitution but urged the public to let the debates on reforms continue as the development of the country is directly involved in the discussion.

Marcos said this amid efforts to change the Constitution via people's initiative, a move which is opposed by political personalities such as former president Rodrigo Duterte.

In his speech during the celebration of Constitution Day in Makati, the President recognized the need to introduce reforms in the Constitution, especially after business sectors pointed out that some of its provisions inhibit the country's growth.

"Anchored on these restrictive provisions, there are laws that prohibit certain kinds of foreign investment and thus limit our economic potential and our global competitiveness," he said on Thursday, Feb. 8.

With this, the Chief Executive appealed to the public to let the discussions continue as he assured Filipinos that he would not intervene in the process.

"We must allow this healthy and democratic debate to wage on, especially that the social economic development of our country is directly involved. We must allow our democratic institutions and their mechanisms made possible by our constitutional order to take [their] natural course," he said.

"I will neither hinder this dialogue nor encroach on the prerogatives of Congress and the sovereign will of the Filipino people," he added.

Some sentiments against charter change include concerns about the term limits of elected officials, including the president, being extended alongside the proposed economic reforms.

In his speech on Thursday, President Marcos reiterated that his administration is only interested in introducing reforms related to economic matters.

"Allow me to make it clear: This administration’s position in introducing reforms for the Constitution extends to economic matters alone, for those strategically aimed at boosting our economy. Nothing more," he said.