Some senators push for Charter Change

Transcript

00:00 Some senators are now pushing for charter change.

00:04 As Senator Robin Hood Padilla filed resolution of both houses number 5.

00:09 Under the proposed resolution, from the existing 24, the number will climb to a total of 54

00:15 senators, 30 of which will be elected from different regions.

00:19 There will no longer be a 6-year term of office.

00:23 Instead, the proposed term of service is 8 years, with one re-election term allowed.

00:29 But those elected in the regions will only allowed a 4-year term, while house lawmakers

00:34 will serve 4 years instead of the current 3.

00:38 For the president and vice president, they will be elected as presidential ticket or

00:43 joint candidates, with a 4-year term each, and a shot at a one-time re-election.

00:48 "I just don't understand why in the Philippines we made the constitution like a bible, we

00:54 don't want to amend it.

00:56 I hope we open our minds, that if we really want to change the Philippines, that we all

01:04 are the ones who should be changed, we should first change the constitution."

01:11 But Padilla needs numbers to get this through.

01:14 That's why he confirmed that some senators under the PDP-Laban-Duterte wing is in talks

01:20 with the other faction of PDP-Laban, under Senator Coco Pimentel.

01:25 Padilla wants the two factions of PDP-Laban to unite.

01:29 "I get called every day, 'ask the chairman.'

01:32 I see him everyday, 'boss, let's just unite.'

01:35 It's not over yet."

01:36 "It's not over yet?"

01:37 "No, I mean, that issue is not a small issue anymore.

01:38 Because that issue, that issue already existed when they were sitting.

01:39 But now that they are not sitting, the mayors are different, they are not sitting anymore.

01:40 So, I think that's why we need to unite."

01:41 "I think that's why we need to unite."

01:42 "I think that's why we need to unite."

01:43 "I think that's why we need to unite."

01:44 "I think that's why we need to unite."

01:45 "I think that's why we need to unite."

01:46 "I think that's why we need to unite."

01:47 Senator Bongo meanwhile said no formal talks have been held as of yet, but he believes

02:11 now is the time to sit down and talk.

02:13 "I think now is the time to sit down and talk.

02:18 We are just a few members of the PDP Laban, four here in the Senate.

02:25 You know me, I don't like chaos, I like understanding."

02:31 Daniel Manalastas for The Nation.