Lawmakers and Malacañang on Tuesday rejected circulating claims linking recent Senate leadership changes and political realignments to an alleged push for Charter change and a supposed “no-election” scenario in 2028, with key officials dismissing the narrative as false and misleading.
In the Senate, Senator Benigno Aquino IV pushed back against allegations that a newly formed majority bloc was organized to advance constitutional amendments or extend terms in office.
The claims were raised in a video presented during a privilege speech by Senator Imee Marcos, which suggested moves toward a Constituent Assembly and possible election suspension.
Aquino said no such discussions took place among senators involved in the leadership transition and stressed that constitutional change was never part of their conversations.
“‘Yung video po na nakita po natin, marami pong pagsisinungaling,” Aquino said.
He added that no Senate leader or member had discussed or initiated any push for Charter change.
“Ang constitutional change. Hindi po yan binanggit ni former Senate President Sotto, ni Senator Lacson. Hindi po yan nabanggit ni isang beses. Wala pong pag-push. Wala pong nagsabi, mag-meeting tayo para mag-chacha, para magcon-ass. Wala pong nangyaring ganyan. Unang-una pong fake news,” he added.
Aquino also noted that the current Congress has not taken up any Charter change measures, saying no hearings have been conducted on the matter.
He echoed earlier statements from Senator Francis Pangilinan that the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments has not discussed any proposals related to Charter change.
He further said many senators remain opposed to altering the 1987 Constitution during the current term and expressed confidence that elections scheduled for 2028 will proceed as planned.
“Marami po dito, ipaglalaban ang 1987 Constitution. Marami po dito, hindi papayag na baguhin ‘yan sa terminong ito,” Aquino said.
“Kung tinanong lang po kami, siguro po, masasabi po natin, ngayon pa lang, kung nagbilangan tayo ngayon, ay baka 24 ang makukuha natin na hindi papayag sa charter change,” he added.
Aquino also warned that misinformation circulating online risks distorting public understanding of legislative developments.
Together with members of the minority bloc, he moved to have the video cited in the privilege speech removed from the Senate record.
“Kung sasabihin niyo po sa amin, ang rason kung bakit nagkaroon ng leadership change, ay para pigilan ng isang con-ass a con-com, ay ibig po sabihin yan maraming naniwala sa fake news dahil hindi po totoo yan,” Aquino said.
“At higit pa po dito, ito pong sasabihin ko, marami rin po dito hindi papayag sa isang no-election senaryo,” he added.
He urged colleagues to focus on legislative work rather than political narratives that could deepen division.
In Malacañang, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. also dismissed questions about an alleged “no-election” plan for 2028, reacting with confusion when asked before his departure for a state visit to Japan.
“What’s ‘no-el’?” Marcos said, appearing puzzled.
“I wanted a no-election scenario?” he added after the allegation was explained to him.
The President did not issue further remarks and proceeded to board the presidential aircraft.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, who was with him, laughed off the claim.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro rejected the allegation and described it as a diversionary claim, stressing that the administration follows legal processes on elections.
“Kung anuman ang tungkol sa batas, hindi iyan lumalabag sa batas. Meron tayong batas patungkol sa susunod na eleksyon, 2028, so nakakasiguro tayo na ang Pangulo ay susunod sa batas,” Castro said.
The Palace also suggested that Senator Imee Marcos be asked again to clarify the basis of her allegation.
Photo courtesy of Bam Aquino/ Facebook
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