House Committee on Higher and Technical Education chair Jude Acidre on Friday, May 22, 2026, called on Senator Imee Marcos to stop spreading what he termed as “baseless conspiracy theories” regarding the extension of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s term.
Acidre Urges Focus on Constitutional Duties
Acidre said the senator should instead focus on her constitutional duty in the upcoming impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte. He issued the statement after the senator alleged that moves toward constitutional amendments were aimed at extending the President’s term and preventing the 2028 elections.
“Senator Imee should stop alarming the public with unfounded stories and political fiction. The Filipino people deserve facts, not fearmongering,” Acidre said in a news release. “It is pointless to spread invented conspiracy theories when there is a clear constitutional duty that the Senate must face as an impeachment court,” he added.
1987 Constitution Clearly Defines Term Limits
Acidre emphasized that the 1987 Constitution deliberately provides for a single six-year term for the President, and any insinuation that Congress is secretly planning to halt elections or extend terms only serves to distract the public from more urgent national issues. The Tingog Party-list lawmaker also said the Senate should now focus on preparing for the impeachment trial instead of allowing “political drama and manufactured panic” to dominate public discourse.
Acidre reminded senators that millions of Filipinos expect the Senate to uphold the Constitution and conduct the impeachment trial with seriousness, fairness, and respect for due process. He also warned against using constitutional reform discussions as a political scare tactic, noting that baseless schemes only damage institutions and further divide the nation.
“At this crucial time, public officials should help calm the nation—not inflame it with reckless accusations,” Acidre said.
