Senate President Francis Escudero took a swipe at Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III for backing Charter change (Cha-cha) in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision striking down the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a post on X over the weekend, Escudero accused Sotto of siding with the House of Representatives and Speaker Martin Romualdez. “Kinampihan na nga po ninyo ang impeachment ng HOR at ni Speaker Martin maski sabi ng SC, unconstitutional… Ngayon naman po kinakampihan na din niyo ang Cha-cha ng HOR at ni Speaker Romualdez?” he wrote, ending with the hashtag: the Senate is not your playground.
Sotto, in an interview on The STAR’s “Truth on the Line” last week, said the SC’s July 25 ruling made impeaching an impeachable officer “impossible,” prompting him to reconsider his previous opposition to Cha-cha. He explained that his support would be conditional, depending on whether the high court addresses what he sees as flaws in its new impeachment guidelines.
“What I said was, if the SC ruling stands as is… then I will consider supporting a constituent assembly or a constitutional convention to rewrite Article XI of the Constitution,” Sotto clarified, adding, “Wala akong kinakampihan tulad nila. Ang kinakampihan ko ay ang Constitution.”
The minority leader also warned that the SC’s due process requirements could be abused, with lawmakers or impeached officials deliberately blocking proceedings.
Efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution under President Marcos have faced tension between the Senate and House, particularly on joint voting and the scope of changes. While House leaders have pushed for easing foreign investment restrictions, the Senate has been more cautious, with debates resurfacing after the SC ruling.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva confirmed on Monday that senators are discussing possible leadership changes in the constitutional amendments panel, amid signs that some members are now more open to Cha-cha. He emphasized, however, that timing and public perception—especially with the 2028 elections approaching—remain sensitive factors.
Meanwhile, in the House, Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno renewed his call for revisions via a constitutional convention, citing “ambiguity and procedural deficiency” in certain provisions that, he said, hinder reform and governance.
