MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — Sen. Imee Marcos withdrew Monday her accusations on an alleged constitutional assembly plot, which minority senators argued were a "propaganda tool" that should be stricken off the chamber's records.
Marcos during the plenary session revived claims about the Senate minority's supposed attempt take control of the chamber's leadership, which would pave the way for a constitutional assembly and block the presidential run of Vice President Sara Duterte in 2028.
In her privilege speech, Marcos said: "For far too long, our Filipino people have been left uncertain, confused, deliberately kept in the dark regarding the true intentions behind the continuing and increasingly belligerent efforts to upend the new Senate leadership, and worse, to amend the Constitution."
The video said former Senate President Vicente Sotto III, House Speaker Faustino Dy III, South Cotabato Representative Ferdinand Hernandez, and former Senate Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza met on April 22 to allegedly talk about changing the 1987 constitution.
This was supposedly going to be done through a constitutional assembly or con-ass.
Included in the changes is term extension for the President, senators and members of the House of Representatives who will serve until 2031 instead of 2028. The number of senators will also increase from 24 to 36 or 54 because two or three will be elected per region.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said the video presented by Marcos "was obviously opinionated, a propaganda tool."
"It should be stricken off the record. It's unparliamentary," he said.
"Wala kaming kinalaman d'yan, ba't isinama kami d'yan sa propaganda na 'yan na dahil kami'y 'Duwag 11', 'Bulaga 11'... That should not be shown here because what will stop us now for that lady senator that we come up also with a propaganda video here, papalabas din namin yung mga sala nila? Hindi naman kami ganyan," the senator added.
"To gain traction, to gain views and publicity, we'll destroy our fellow colleagues here? Walang ganyanan," he said.
Sotto, who seconded Zubiri's motion, said that while he had heard suggestions for charter change, he had never discussed it with other senators.
“I really take offense. I take exception… As far as the issue of my involvement in cha-cha is concerned, I vehemently deny. Definitely, I have nothing to do with that,” he said.
“Sana tinanong nila yung source nila, pumayag ba ako?” Sotto said.
Sotto also denied the video’s claim that he wanted to lower the required age for president to 35 so his nephew, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, would be qualified to run. At the same time, he denied that he wanted to increase the president’s qualifying age to 50 to block Duterte’s bid.
“That’s impossible. I never said that,” he said.
Former Senate Secretary Mendoza also issued a denial: "Meeting with colleagues, friends, and fellow public servants outside official settings should not be maliciously construed as wrongdoing. Open dialogue and the exchange of ideas are natural and necessary in a democratic society."
"For the record, I vehemently deny any involvement in any effort related to charter change, nor have I ever supported such a move," he added.
'FAKE NEWS'
Other minority senators backed Zubiri's motion, with Sen. Erwin Tulfo, labeling Marcos' allegations as "fake news."
Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said that “disinformation, sowing of intrigues and fake news” have no place in the upper chamber.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the minority only discussed plans to restore the public’s trust in the Senate.
“Itong mga lumalabas na video na ganito, hindi ho ito nakakatulong. Bagkus, ito rin po ay magkakaroon ng negatibong epekto sa pananaw ng ating mga kababayan sa institusyon na mahal natin na gusto rin nating protektahan,” he said.
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the video’s claims were “outright lies” and said any statements made related to charter change, including the supposed adjustment of the age limit for presidential candidates, were pure jokes.
"Kung tinanong lang po kami...kung nagbilangan tayo ngayon, baka 24 po ang makuha nating hindi papayag ng charter change, baka 24 ang makita po nating hindi papayag na walang eleksyon," added Sen. Bam Aquino.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said a privilege speech "is not the same as having the privilege to have fake news entered into the official as if it were evidence."
"Ganito na ba kababa ang inaabot ng pulitika sa Pilipinas na hanggang dito sa floor, magbabatuhan tayo ng putik?" she asked.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo told his colleagues, "We've been like a circus for the past few days, pinagtatawanan tayo... Nakakahiya na po."
Sen. Lito Lapid was the only minority senator who did not second the motion.
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta objected to the motion, saying he had not "heard any word from Sen. Imee Marcos that offended the sensibilities of our counterparts in the minority."
"I think what is being objected to, which is not covered by the rules, are the videos that were presented," Marcoleta said.
"Ngayon po, nakita natin the vibrancy of democracy in this chamber. Isa-isa po silang nagsalita lahat, nabigyan ng pagkakataon ipaliwanag ang kanilang panig. Hindi po ba maganda ngayon na nakita ng taong bayan? ...Sila na po ang final arbitrer," he said.
"'Wag po tayong balat-sibuyas."
'WITHDRAW'
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, meanwhile, alleged that the "minority keeps speaking outside the session hall", which makes it difficult for the majority to respond
"Senator Imee is speaking in the session hall na lahat sila ay puwedeng tumayo," he said.
He also told the minority: "Have anyone of you given us the benefit of the doubt that we will have an independent Senate? Hindi ko narinig yun."
He eventually urged Marcos to withdraw her statements instead of having it stricken off the record. Marcos heeded Cayetano's suggestions. -- with a report from Victoria Tulad, ABS-CBN News