Senator Imee Marcos stirred controversy on May 25, 2026 after presenting a video during her privilege speech that allegedly exposed plans within the current administration to pursue Charter Change (Cha-Cha) and extend the terms of incumbent officials.
In the video, Marcos claimed there were efforts to amend the Constitution through a Constitutional Assembly, including proposals to move the 2028 elections, lower the presidential age qualification to 35 years old, and allow current officials to remain in office until 2031.
However, no formal proposals or official measures supporting these claims have been filed or publicly discussed as of writing, making the alleged plans remain unsubstantiated and speculative.
Marcos also criticized lawmakers she described as “mambubutas ng sikmura,” accusing them of prioritizing Cha-Cha over urgent public concerns such as hunger, employment, healthcare, and livelihood.
The remarks drew attention because several senators linked to the accusations have long positioned themselves as critics of the administration’s economic and social welfare policies, and not advocates of self-serving politics.
Senator Risa Hontiveros has consistently advocated measures on healthcare, gender rights, and social protection; Senator Kiko Pangilinan has pushed for stronger support for fishers, wage increases, and food security initiatives; and Senator Bam Aquino, meanwhile, has focused on free education, youth employment, and support for micro, small, and medium enterprises.
In this case, several lawmakers accused in the video have also previously opposed Cha-Cha efforts in the past.
Senator Migz Zubiri blocked discussions on the People’s Initiative Cha-Cha campaign in 2023 and 2024, maintaining his opposition to constitutional amendments.
Senate President Tito Sotto, Senate President during the Duterte administration, similarly argued in 2018 that Cha-Chat discussions should be postponed ahead of the 2019 elections. Pangilinan also publicly rejected proposals that could have led to a “no-election” scenario and an extension of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s term through constitutional amendments.
During the Senate session, Zubiri invoked Senate Rules Sections 93, 94, and 95 governing unparliamentary language and conduct, arguing that the material presented by Marcos was propagandistic and opinion-based.
Marcos later withdrew the video presentation, while Zubiri subsequently withdrew his motion, effectively removing the video from the Senate record.
