Senator Imee Marcos accused fellow senators of involvement in a covert constitutional assembly plot during a privilege speech on Monday [1].

The clash highlights deepening divisions within the Philippine Senate over "Cha-cha," or charter change, a process that could alter the country's fundamental law. Because these accusations target the integrity of the legislative body, the dispute has shifted from a policy debate to a confrontation over misinformation.

Members of the Senate minority bloc responded by describing the allegations as "propaganda" [1]. They said the claims were "fake news" [1]. The minority senators said the accusations were baseless and intended to mislead the public regarding the intentions of the legislators involved.

Following the speech, the minority bloc successfully moved to have the video of the presentation struck from the official record [2]. This action prevents the footage from being used as a formal part of the Senate's proceedings, a rare move that underscores the severity of the disagreement.

Senator Marcos said a scheme was underway to push through a constitutional assembly. The minority senators said the accusations were an attempt to undermine the Senate's integrity [1].

The tension in the Manila Senate chamber reflects a broader struggle over the method of constitutional reform, whether through a constitutional convention or an assembly of elected officials. The move to erase the video suggests that the minority bloc views the speech not as a legitimate legislative contribution, but as a targeted attack on their reputations [2].

“"propaganda"”

The removal of a senator's speech from the official record indicates a breakdown in parliamentary courtesy and a high level of volatility regarding charter change. By labeling the claims as misinformation, the minority bloc is attempting to preemptively neutralize a political narrative that could frame the constitutional assembly process as a covert or illegitimate plot.