President Marcos on Wednesday said the government is looking for ways to hold the plebiscite on the proposed economic charter change alongside the 2025 national elections.
In a chance interview before his flight to Canberra, the President confirmed they were reviewing to put together Cha-Cha’s plebiscite and 2025 midterm polls to save up money.
“Pinag-aaralan talaga namin yun dahil kung ihihiwalay natin yung eleksyon at tsaka yung plebiscite, parang dalawang eleksyon ‘yun, eh. Napakamahal. So, baka maaari, kung isabay natin ‘yung plebisito sa local elections na gagawin sa Mayo next year. Malaking bagay yun, malaking savings para sa atin. Yun, pinag-aaralan naming mabuti,” the President said.
(We’re really studying that because if we separate the election and the plebiscite, it’s like having two elections. It’s very costly. So, maybe, if we combine the plebiscite with the local elections happening in May next year. That’s a big deal, big savings for us. That’s what we’re studying carefully.)
“There is [a] legal consequence there because a plebiscite is slightly different— not so slightly— a plebiscite is different from an election. So, if we are able to incorporate the two exercises together, as a practical matter, palagay ko ay makakatulong yun (I think that can help),” he added.
The President’s remarks came after Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri bared Mr. Marcos’ directive after meeting with senators to discuss the amendment of the 1987 Constitution.