Cha-cha plebiscite in 2025 proposed

While congressmen hope for a plebiscite on Charter change as early as July this year, senators see no hurry, with the chair of the panel in charge of Cha-cha considering synchronizing any plebiscite with the 2025 midterm elections.

- CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE, DELON PORCALLA

In a radio interview on Monday, Sen. Sonny Angara, who chairs the Senate subcommittee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, maintained that aligning the Cha-cha plebiscite with the 2025 elections would be practical and less costly.

“My goal is – although the Constitution also sets the timeline – you must set the plebiscite 60 to 90 days after it’s passed by Congress,” Angara said.

“We have to reconcile that timeline of having the plebiscite along with the 2025 elections as the plebiscite is costly,” he pointed out.

He explained that synchronizing the plebiscite with the midterm elections would not only streamline the process but also yield substantial savings for the government.

“(A plebiscite] costs several billions of pesos,” Angara said. “While legally it’s there, we should also be practical to save the people’s money. Maybe that’s better, but that’s my personal opinion.”

“I have to consult my colleagues as to the timeline of the plebiscite because we will also be discussing efficiency and economics and how the people can save,” he added.

On Monday, the Senate deliberated on Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, which aims to amend specific economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, specifically on public services, education and advertising.