Imee Marcos Exposes Charter Change Plot, Term Extension Until 2031 in Senate Privilege Speech

MANILA – Senator Imee Marcos delivered a scathing privilege speech on Thursday, exposing alleged meetings and plans to amend the 1987 Constitution through charter change, extend terms of elected officials until 2031, and possibly suspend the 2028 national elections.

Rising on a matter of "personal and collective privilege," the senator presented what she claimed was documentation and footage of meetings discussing constitutional amendments, term extensions, and the connection to Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment.

April 22 Solaire Meeting Revealed

Marcos specifically cited an April 22 meeting at the Solaire Resort between former Senate President Tito Sotto and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, where they allegedly discussed what provisions of the 1987 Constitution to amend.

Also present at the meeting, according to Marcos, were South Cotabato Congressman Ferdinand Hernandez, former Senate Secretary Mark Mendoza, a congressman, a governor, a retired military officer, a former high-ranking official, and five members from the private and business sector.

"The Filipino people deserve clarity. The Filipino people deserve honesty. And above all, the Filipino people deserve at least the truth," Marcos declared.

Term Extension Until 2031

The senator revealed that the charter change discussions include extending the terms of senators and congressmen who are set to leave office in 2028, pushing their tenure until 2031.

"They discussed whether to have two or three senators per region. They computed that with 18 regions, there would be 36 or 54 senators," Marcos said, citing her sources from the meeting.

More controversially, she alleged discussions about lowering the minimum age requirement for president from 40 to 35 years old – a move she claimed was intended to qualify Vico Sotto for a presidential run.

"I have something to add, Vicky. Let's lower the age of the president to 35. The youth today are talented. Let's give everything to the young people to run this country," Marcos quoted one of the meeting participants as saying.

When Sotto allegedly suggested this was to qualify his nephew Vico, the response was reportedly: "I told you they would think that. No, I didn't think of Bicol then."

No Election Scenario in 2028

Marcos warned of a possible "no election" scenario in 2028, suggesting that those pushing for charter change may be planning to suspend national elections.

"Why are they saying they're not afraid of the next election? Because they know there will be no election," she said.

The senator connected this to the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, suggesting that the impeachment is part of a broader agenda to restructure the government and extend terms.

Defending the 1987 Constitution

In a remarkable statement, Marcos declared her commitment to defending the 1987 Constitution despite its historical context.

"I never imagined that in my lifetime, I, a Marcos, would defend the 1987 Constitution – a constitution written against our family," she said.

"But as a Filipino, as a public servant, as a daughter of Ferdinand Marcos who has the courage to stand up for our country, we must protect the Constitution of the Philippines," she added, recalling a visit to her father's grave at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes' Cemetery).

Timeline of Charter Change Efforts

Marcos outlined what she described as a systematic effort to amend the constitution:

• January 2024: Blocked the People's Initiative for charter change
• August 12, 2025: President Bongbong Marcos announced he would not oppose a Constitutional Convention (ConCon)
• November 2025: Congressman Ronaldo Puno and members of the National Unity Party (NUPE) filed House Bill 5870 calling for a Constitutional Convention
• January 30, 2026: Former Senate President Sotto expressed support for discussing constitutional amendments
• February 7, 2026: Former Representative Arta Rabindranath filed a proposal to abolish the Senate and Congress, replacing them with a National Legislative Assembly
• Last month: Congressman Puno and NUPE encouraged House leadership to begin talks with the Senate on charter change through ConCon
• May 14, 2026: Malacañang denied Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano's accusation that the palace was trying to weaken the Senate

Multiple House Bills Pushing Charter Change

Marcos cited numerous House bills aimed at amending the constitution:

• House Bill 368 by Congressman Abante pushing for ConCon
• Resolution of Both Houses No. 1 by Congressman Garbin
• Resolution of Both Houses No. 2 proposing to lower the minimum age requirement for president and vice president to 35 years old
• House Resolution No. 3 by Congressman Richard Gomez to amend the constitution
• Resolution No. 4 proposing to change senators' terms to three years for three consecutive terms
• House Resolution 460 by Congressmen Oreta, Remulla, Dasa, and others clarifying the meaning of "fourth witness" in impeachment

Connection to Impeachment and Corruption

The senator alleged that the Senate leadership change was not just about impeachment but part of a larger syndicate involving corruption.

"The government has become a big syndicate," she said, claiming that corrupt legislators were promised money from the 2027-2028 national budget, which she described as the "election budget" and "ConAss budget."

She claimed that former political enemies, those helped to win in past elections, those with grievances against the previous administration, the largest troll farms, and parts of mainstream media are all being fueled by "money from corruption and anger against the Dutertes."

Call to Action

Marcos concluded her speech by challenging her fellow senators to take a stand.

"If those who attended that meeting deny it and refute what I said, then I will reveal who leaked this to us because the whole nation will be shocked," she warned.

She urged her colleagues: "I urge this body to look deeply into what we have witnessed today, act with vigilance, courage, and fidelity to the Constitution we swore to defend."

In a final appeal, Marcos called on senators to promise the Filipino people that there will be elections in 2028, from presidential to local positions.

"I will be happy to be proven wrong because that would mean the truth will prevail," she said.

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The Palace has previously denied any priority on charter change, stating that the president is focused on economic issues. However, Marcos's privilege speech suggests ongoing efforts outside Malacañang to push for constitutional amendments through various means.