(Editorial)
SENATOR Imee Marcos faced sharp criticism from fellow lawmakers after presenting a video during her privilege speech, claiming to expose a supposed conspiracy to amend the Constitution, extend official terms, and block Vice President Sara Duterte from running in 2028.
The material alleged that key figures — including former Senate President Tito Sotto III, House Speaker Bojie Dy, and other lawmakers — met last April to push for Charter change and raise the minimum age requirement for presidential candidates, effectively barring the Vice President from the race. Marcos argued she was only defending the 1987 Constitution, stating, “I never thought I would live to see the day when I, a Marcos, would defend this Constitution,” insisting her warnings were meant to protect democratic processes.
Almost immediately, senators from both majority and minority blocs denounced the video as misleading, opinionated, and pure propaganda, saying it lacked proof and unfairly dragged their names into unfounded claims. Former Senate President Migz Zubiri was the first to object, moving to strike the presentation from the official record, calling it “a horrible propaganda video” full of unverified stories and labels such as “Great 13” and “Bulaga 11” meant to divide the chamber. “Are we now like tabloid hosts here in the Senate?” Zubiri asked, stressing that the Senate floor should be used only for facts and legislation, not content that turns the institution into a spectacle. He reminded colleagues that they had stood united against similar proposals before, including the controversial People’s Initiative, and said linking them to such plans was completely false.
Tito Sotto also took the floor to strongly deny the claims, saying he never attended any such meeting nor discussed constitutional amendments with anyone as alleged. He questioned where the information came from and demanded evidence, pointing out that the video relied entirely on unverified sources and anonymous accounts.
Other senators added that the presentation was divisive and dangerous, as it spread disinformation and created unnecessary political tension at a time when the Senate should be focusing on urgent national issues. They emphasized that making serious accusations about altering the Constitution or interfering with future elections requires solid documents and testimony, not edited clips or hearsay.
Under mounting pressure and following a request from Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, Marcos eventually withdrew the video from the record, though she maintained she stood by the substance of her message. She expressed hurt over the backlash, saying she was accused of lying and spreading falsehoods, yet believed she was simply performing her duty as a lawmaker to alert the public.
Still, her colleagues insisted that while raising concerns is valid, doing so through unsubstantiated material undermines the Senate’s credibility. The incident ended with a strong reminder from leaders that moving forward, all presentations and speeches must be based on verified facts and evidence, or risk being stricken out and condemned as harmful to the institution’s integrity.
