Marcos: Cha-cha plebiscite, 2025 polls done separately will be expensive

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Wednesday that conducting the 2025 national and local midterm elections and the plebiscite to ratify the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution at the same time is being studied.

Speaking to reporters before leaving for Canberra, Australia, Marcos said the plebiscite and the 2025 polls being done at separate period would be costly for the government.

“Pinag-aaralan talaga namin ‘yun dahil kung ihihiwalay natin ‘yung eleksyon at tsaka ‘yung plebiscite, parang dalawang eleksyon ‘yun eh. Napakamahal.

“So, baka maaari, kung isabay natin yung plebesito sa local elections na gagawin sa Mayo next year. Malaking bagay yun, malaking savings para sa atin,” he added.

Earlier, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Marcos wants the plebiscite to ratify the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution to be done simultaneously with the 2025 national and local elections.

Zubiri and two other senators filed Senate Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 after the leaders of the Senate and the House agreed before Marcos that the Senate will lead the deliberations on the amendments to the 1987 Constitution if the people's initiative campaign will stop.

RBH No. 6 seeks to amend some economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, particularly Articles XII, XIV, and XVI.

The constitutional provisions on public services, education, and advertising industry will be amended by adding the phrase "unless otherwise provided by law."

Comelec's take

For his part, Commission on Elections chairperson George Garcia had said the poll body is in favor of holding the plebiscite to ratify the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution simultaneously with the 2025 national and local elections.

"Okay na okay po ang Commission on Elections kung sakaling pagsasabayiin, lalo na kung ang purpose nito ay ang makatipid," he said.

(The Comelec is okay with the plebiscite done simultaneously with the 2025 elections, especially if the purpose is to save money.)

According to the Comelec chief, a separate plebiscite would cost around P13 billion to hold.

"Para kang nagpapa-hold ng isang barangay and SK elections," Garcia noted.

(It's like holding a barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election.)

Senators weigh in

Zubiri echoed Garcia's comment that P13 billion would be saved if the plebiscite for Charter change and the 2025 elections would be held simultaneously.

"This strategic move not only streamlines our electoral processes but also saves valuable resources. P13 billion is a significant amount th

at could be allocated towards critical infrastructure projects and social programs that will benefit our nation," Zubiri said.

"I agree with the position of the COMELEC. With limited resources and competing priorities, it is imperative that we maximize every peso spent to address the most pressing needs of our citizens, and it also aligns with the vision of the President for the country," he added.

However, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said the simultaneous conduct of a plebiscite and 2025 elections is a "bad ídea."

"I think ang pagpilit nila ng plebisito sa kanilang pekeng people's initiative o plebisito sa sinasabing amyenda sa economic provisions lamang ng Konstitusyon, I think is a bad idea, any which way na gawin 'yan sa ngayon," Hontiveros said in a press conference.

(I think their insistence of a plebiscite for their fake people's initiative for amendments of economic provisions in the Constitution is a bad idea any which way it is done.)

"Ako po ay tutol sa Cha-cha, whether sa economic or political provisions, whether sa pamamagatin sa mala-[constituent assembly] na proseso dahil hindi pa nga sigurado con-ass ba ang ginagawa ng Senado o ng House sa ngayon. Tutol talaga ako d'yan," she added.

(I am against Cha-cha, whether for economic or political provisions, whether through a [constitutent assembly] process because it is not clear if con-ass is what is happening in the Senate or House now. I am against it.) — RSJ/KG, GMA Integrated News