Sen. Imee Marcos alleged on Thursday there are ongoing discussions among political leaders, administration officials, business individuals regarding possible moves toward a Constitutional Assembly (Con-Ass) that could lead to constitutional changes, including the extension of terms of elected officials.
In an interview on DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan, Marcos said she believed there were coordinated discussions involving the Senate and House leaderships, members of the Cabinet, and business figures ahead of the impeachment vote, which she said were not limited to the immediate political issue at hand.
“May usap-usapan na bago magbotohan sa Kongreso na kinakailangan daw, eto yung meeting ng liderato noon, ng Senado, ng liderato ng Kongreso, ng mga administration cabinet officials at iba pang negosyante, na kinakailangan daw kung hindi daw lulusot yung impeachment kasi wala ngang boto sa Senado,“ the senator said.
She claimed that among the alleged proposals was a shift to a Con-Ass that could pave the way for extending the terms of members of Congress and the president by up to three years.
The Presidential sister further alleged that such a scenario could affect the 2028 elections, including a possible postponement of national elections or limiting elections to local positions under a “no election” arrangement.
“Ikakasa na nila ang Con-Ass [kung] saan ang eleksyon ay para na lamang [sa] Local na posisyon, ‘No-El’; extension ng tatlong taon. Tapos papalitan pa daw yung edad ng Pangulo. Gagawin ng 50 years para hindi makatakbo at disqualified na si VP Sara.”
Marcos also claimed that the broader political plan she described was not solely centered on impeachment proceedings but was tied to longer-term political outcomes, including constitutional amendments and changes in the electoral timeline.
However there was no independent documentation to support her assertions during the interview.
She further alleged that political incentives and pressures were being exerted in relation to impeachment deliberations and upcoming budget discussions, suggesting that congressional alignments were being influenced through a combination of financial allocations and political assurances.
“Bago magbotohan sa impeachment, lalo na yung Visayas and Mindanao congressmen, ayaw bumoto talaga sa impeachment.”
“Eh ang problema, unang-una, inalok sila ng 20 million pesos cash, pagkatapos 200 million ang kanilang infrastructure, hard projects, baka kasali na naman ang flood control dyan.”
Marcos added that tensions within the Senate and Congress were being shaped by competing political blocs, particularly in relation to impeachment proceedings and other legislative priorities. She did not name specific officials in her claims during the interview.
