A senator has dismantled the spread of misinformation regarding the Senate’s recent leadership transition.
Addressing the chamber on Monday, Sen. Bam Aquino categorically rejected claims that the shift in Senate leadership was driven by a clandestine agenda to push for Charter change (Cha-cha) or to facilitate a “No Election” (No-El) scenario.
The controversy was about a video presented during a privilege speech by Sen. Imee Marcos, which alleged that the new majority bloc was formed to preemptively block a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass).
The senator, providing a firsthand account of the minority caucus’ activities, exposed these claims as entirely baseless.
“‘Yung video po na nakita po natin, marami pong pagsisinungaling. Ang constitutional change. Hindi po yan binanggit ni former Senate President Sotto, ni Senator Lacson. Hindi po yan nabanggit ni isang beses. Wala pong pag-push. Wala pong nagsabi, mag-meeting tayo para mag-chacha, para magcon-ass. Wala pong nangyaring ganyan. Unang-una pong fake news,” he said.
The senator emphasized that the Senate’s legislative priorities have been far removed from the narrative being peddled in the video.
He pointed to the lack of any filed bills or motions regarding Cha-cha in the current Congress, echoing the sentiment of Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, who confirmed that the Committee on Constitutional Amendments has not conducted any hearings on the matter.
After debunking the false narrative, Aquino promised to uphold the 1987 Constitution. He challenged the premise that the Senate is divided on this issue, suggesting that if a formal headcount were taken, the consensus would be overwhelmingly in favor of protecting the current charter and upholding the democratic mandate of the 2028 elections.
“Marami po dito, ipaglalaban ang 1987 Constitution. Marami po dito, hindi papayag na baguhin ‘yan sa terminong ito. Kung tinanong lang po kami, siguro po, masasabi po natin, ngayon pa lang, kung nagbilangan tayo ngayon, ay baka 24 ang makuha natin na hindi papayagsa charter change,” he said.
He also reminds the chamber on the importance of vetting information in an era where digital misinformation can easily distort public perception. Sen. Aquino says that he is not only correcting the recordbut also empowering the Filipino people to recognize the difference between political theater and legislative reality.
Aquino and the other senators in the minority bloc call to strike the misleading video from the official record of the Senate.
“Kung sasabihin niyo po sa amin, ang rason kung bakit nagkaroon ng leadership change ay para pigilan ng isang con-ass or con-com, ay ibig po sabihin yan maraming naniwala sa fake news dahil hindi po totoo yan. At higit pa po dito, ito pong sasabihin ko, marami rin po dito hindi papayag sa isang no-election senaryo,” he explained.
In his final appeal, Aquino urged the chamber to refocus on its fundamental mandate which is serving the Filipino people. He challenged his colleagues to rise above divisive, unfounded narratives and redirect their collective energy toward a substantive legislative agenda. Sen. Aquino emphasized that the Senate’s time and resources are precious public assets that must be dedicated to addressing the nation’s urgent needs, rather than being squandered on the traps of fake news and unnecessary political distractions.
