Tingog Party-list Representative Jude Acidre on Friday, May 22, criticized Senator Imee Marcos for circulating rumors that there are ongoing plots to extend the term of her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and disrupt the upcoming 2028 elections.
Acidre dismissed the presidential sister’s allegations of hidden constitutional amendments as “baseless conspiracy theories,” urging her instead to focus on her legislative duties ahead of the Senate impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Senator Imee should stop alarming the public with unfounded stories and political fiction. The Filipino people deserve facts, not fearmongering,” Acidre said in a statement.
The Visayas lawmaker pointed out that the Senate has a pressing constitutional obligation as an impeachment court, which should take precedence over political distractions.
“Walang saysay ang pagpapakalat ng mga imbentong conspiracy theory habang may malinaw na tungkuling konstitusyonal na dapat harapin ang Senado bilang impeachment court,” he added.
There is no sense in spreading invented conspiracy theories when the Senate has a clear constitutional duty to face as an impeachment court.
Acidre reiterated that the 1987 Constitution explicitly restricts the President to a single six-year term, making any reelection or term extension legally impossible. He warned that repeatedly stoking these fears only creates unnecessary confusion and political toxicity.
“The Constitution is very clear. President Marcos cannot run again in 2028. To keep repeating this narrative despite the absence of evidence only deepens political toxicity and confusion,” Acidre emphasized.
The political friction comes at a high-stakes period, as Vice President Duterte has already declared her intentions to run for the presidency in 2028. However, a potential conviction in the Senate impeachment trial would permanently disqualify her from holding any public office.
Acidre called on the Senate to prioritize preparing for the historic trial rather than allowing public discourse to be dominated by manufactured panic.
“The Senate is about to sit as an impeachment court on a matter of historic national importance. This is not the time for distraction politics,” he stated. “Ang inaasahan ng taumbayan ay katotohanan, pananagutan, at maayos na paglilitis—hindi pananakot, hindi propaganda, at lalong hindi gawa-gawang kwento tungkol sa martial law o term extension.”
What the public expects is truth, accountability, and a proper trial—not fearmongering, not propaganda, and definitely not fabricated stories about martial law or term extensions.
Furthermore, the lawmaker cautioned against weaponizing constitutional reform discussions to scare the public, noting that economic and structural amendments have been debated for decades without sinister motives.
“Constitutional reform has been debated for decades under different administrations. But inventing sinister plots without proof only damages institutions and further divides the country,” Acidre said. “At this crucial time, public officials should help calm the nation—not inflame it with reckless accusations.”