Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has put forth a proposal to potentially combine a referendum on amending the constitution with the upcoming midterm elections set for next year. Speaking to reporters in Manila before heading to Australia for an official visit, Marcos emphasized the cost-saving benefits of holding the two polls simultaneously. By aligning the referendum with the local elections in May 2023, the government could streamline processes and avoid redundant expenses, he explained.
The primary objective behind Marcos’s push for constitutional amendments is to revise outdated economic provisions, aiming to attract increased foreign investments and propel the country's rapidly growing economy. With the House of Representatives initiating discussions on the proposed changes this week, Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is a supporter of Marcos’s plan, is leading the deliberations. Any alterations to the constitution necessitate a public vote through a referendum and will require majority support to be implemented.
Nevertheless, the president’s initiative has met with opposition from notable figures, including former President Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte has raised concerns that Marcos’s proposed constitutional changes may be a ploy to extend his presidential term, which is currently limited to a six-year period under the existing charter. In response, Marcos has stated that the current constitution, crafted in the aftermath of his father’s overthrow in 1986, is ill-suited for the demands of a globalized world and must be adjusted to stimulate economic progress.
As the debate over constitutional amendments intensifies in the Philippines, the proposed referendum to revise the 1987 Constitution promises to be a pivotal moment in the country’s political landscape. With differing perspectives on the necessity and implications of such changes, the path forward remains uncertain. Whether the referendum occurs alongside the midterm elections next year or through a separate process, the ultimate decision will rest with the Filipino electorate and their verdict on the direction their nation should take in the years to come.