Tensions flared at the Senate on Monday, May 25, as a plenary session descended into a heated confrontation over a video presentation by Senator Imee Marcos, which alleged a clandestine plot to amend the 1987 Constitution to extend the terms of incumbent government officials.
The controversial clip, presented by the Senator, rehashed claims that current lawmakers and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. were plotting to remain in power until 2031, effectively suspending national elections. The video further alleged plans to raise the presidential age requirement to 50, a move critics suggest would disqualify Vice President Sara Duterte from future runs.
The presentation triggered an immediate backlash from the chamber. Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri invoked parliamentary rules, moving to strike the video from the record, describing the material as an “opinionated” and “horrible” piece of propaganda designed to sow intrigue.
”It’s unparliamentary. And we have seen videos presenting evidence on issues taken up on the floor… But to come up with an opinionated piece like that, ganong klaseng na propaganda, na sowing intrigue (that kind of propaganda that is sowing intrigue),” Zubiri stated.
Zubiri urged his colleague to settle personal grievances privately.
”Kung galit po kayo, magsalita po siya diyan; magalit siya sa gobyerno niya, magalit siya sa kapatid niya, murahin niya ang kapatid niya. Pero huwag naman niya idamay ang mga tao na walang kinalaman dyan (If you are angry, speak up; be angry at your government, be angry at your brother, curse your brother. But do not involve people who have nothing to do with it),” he added.
Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III dismissed the Senator’s claims as false, clarifying that his meetings with House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III were social in nature rather than political.
”You should not be surprised if I often see Bojie Dy. Because Bojie Dy is my golf mate. Ang mga golfing friends namin, every now and then, nagkaka-dinner kami (Our golfing friends, every now and then, we have dinner),” Sotto said.
Sotto joined other members of the chamber—including Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Risa Hontiveros, and the Tulfo brothers—in supporting the motion to strike the video from the records. Senator Raffy Tulfo labeled the content a “hao siao” (illegitimate or fake) video.
Following an objection from Senator Rodante Marcoleta and a subsequent request from Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano to withdraw the material, Senator Imee Marcos ultimately agreed to pull the video from the official Senate records.