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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sandro Marcos: 'Wrong time' to discuss Concon, 'nasa budget pa lang tayo'

Sandro Marcos: 'Wrong time' to discuss Concon, 'nasa budget pa lang tayo'

Published Aug 14, 2025 09:25 am

At A Glance

  • House Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos believes that it's "the "wrong time" to talk about the proposed creation of a constitutional convention (Concon).
Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos (PPAB)
Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos (PPAB)


House Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos believes that it's "the "wrong time" to talk about the proposed creation of a constitutional convention (Concon).
Rep. Marcos had just stepped out of the ceremonial turnover of the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) at the Romualdez hall of the House of Representatives Wednesday, Aug. 13 when we was asked for comment about the Concon.
The Concon is one of the modes for Charter change.
"Nasa budget pa lang tayo (We are still with the budget), let's not bring that up. It's the wrong time and the wrong place," Rep. Marcos said.
The 2026 NEP worth P6.793 trillion was turned over by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday. The transmission of the proposed outlay signals the start of the budget process in the lower chamber.
Also on Wednesday, Nueva Ecija 1st district Rep. Mikaela "Mika" Suansing said the Committee on Appropriations would begin deliberations on the NEP this coming Monday, Aug. 18. Suansing chairs the powerful panel.
The NEP serves as precursor to the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) or the legislated budget measure.
Asked regarding details of the NEP, Rep. Marcos said: "Kakakuha ko pa lang nung NEP (I just received the NEP), I haven't even read it yet. Today is the first day. I would will to sift through it to fine comb."
The House is expected to aggressively push for the 2026 GAB's third and final reading before the adjournment of sessions on Oct. 10.
In a privilege speech last Monday, Aug. 11, Deputy Speaker Antipolo City 1st district Rep. Ronaldo "Ronnie" Puno cited the need to amend the Constitution in order to give clarity to certain ambiguous provisions.
These include the "forthwith" provision regarding the conduct of a Senate impeachment trial on an impeachable officer. This particular wording in the Charter became a sticking point in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Puno proposed to fix these "enduring ambiguities" via Concon, as opposed to a constituent assembly (Con-Ass).
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