Photo credit: Senate PH

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, and Majority Leader Joel Villanueva announced a significant breakthrough in the fight against the fake people's initiative for charter change.

Zubiri revealed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has committed to intervening and appealing to the initiators of the people's initiative, urging them to cease their campaign for signatures. This development marks a crucial turning point in the battle against what many have deemed as a deceptive maneuver to alter the country's constitution.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) en banc also issued a statement during the press conference, declaring the suspension of all proceedings related to the people's initiative. This decision underscores the serious concerns raised by various sectors about the legitimacy and transparency of the initiative.

During the press conference, Zubiri emphasized the importance of this victory for the democratic principles of the country. "So, the moon and the stars have aligned today for our democracy. It's for the democracy of our country. Hindi po ito para sa survival ng isang institution. Hindi po ito para sa Senado, ito po ay para sa ating demokrasya," Zubiri said.

Senate leaders expressed their gratitude for the collective efforts of concerned citizens, government officials, and institutions in safeguarding the integrity of the democratic process. The suspension of the people's initiative proceedings is seen as a crucial step in upholding the principles of fair representation and public participation in shaping the nation's future.