Senator Imee Marcos withdrew a video that accused three fellow senators of plotting a constitutional assembly to extend the presidential term [2].
The incident highlights deep divisions within the Philippine Senate regarding charter change and the use of digital media to make political accusations. Such disputes can undermine legislative cooperation and the perceived integrity of the institution.
During a Senate session on Tuesday, May 24, 2024, Marcos presented a video alleging that Senators Tito Sotto, Risa Hontiveros, and Francis "Ping" Pangilinan were coordinating a scheme to change the constitution [1, 2]. Marcos said the effort was designed to extend the term of the incumbent president [1].
The targeted senators and their colleagues reacted with immediate condemnation. One unnamed minority senator said, "This is propaganda and fake news that threatens the integrity of the Senate" [1]. The opposition dismissed the allegations as baseless and labeled the video as misinformation.
Following the backlash from her colleagues, Marcos removed the footage from the record on May 25, 2024 [2]. "I have withdrawn the video after my colleagues' outcry," Marcos said [2].
Despite the withdrawal of the video, the tension over "cha-cha" — the local shorthand for charter change — remains a volatile subject in Manila. The conflict underscores the friction between the administration's allies and the minority bloc over the legal framework of the presidency.
“"This is propaganda and fake news that threatens the integrity of the Senate."”
The clash over the withdrawn video reflects the high stakes of constitutional reform in the Philippines. When allegations of term extensions surface, they often trigger accusations of authoritarianism or political maneuvering, making the Senate a primary battleground for the country's legal and political stability.
