Neophyte Senator Robin Padilla said that amending the 1987 Constitution is not dependent on the endorsement of the sitting president.
During a media forum, Padilla said that Charter change did not pass during the previous Congress despite the support of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Padilla is one of the proponents of Charter change in the Senate. He also chairs the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes.
“Doon po natin makikita na hindi po ito nakasalalay sa pangulo. Ito po ay nakasalalay sa amin, sa mataas at mababang kapulungan,” he said.
Previously, President Bongbong Marcos said that amending the constitution is not part of his priority.
“Sa Konstitusyon, ang magde-desisyon po dito ay legislation at taongbayan sa pamamagitan ng plebesito. Wala po siyang papel,” Padilla said.
The former actor said that he will not let politics enter the discussion.
“Ako po ay mag-iingay kapag ang usapan po dito ay napunta na sa pulitika. Maniwala po kayo sa akin. Hindi po ako kapit-tuko sa posisyon na ito. Araw-araw po na ginawa ng Diyos, wala po akong gustong gawin kundi mag-resign,” he said.
— Ronald Espartinez