Marilyn Cahatol

Supporters flock to the launching of the  grassroots campaign "Mga Kaibigan", led by senatorial and congressional aspirants, former senators Kiko Pangilinan, Bam Aquino, Atty. Leila Dr Lima, and Atty. Chel Diokno, in Quezon City on October 16, 2024. The campaign focuses on transparent governance, economic recovery, social justice, and youth empowerment, as the aspirants lead up to the 2025 midterm elections. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Mga Kaibigan Campaign Launch

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has been elected as the new chairperson of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Code for the 20th Congress, replacing Sen. Robinhood Padilla.</p><p>&quot;I accept this responsibility with humility and a firm resolve to safeguard the democratic ideals enshrined in our Constitution,&quot; Pangilinan said. </p><p>Pangilinan, who also holds the Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, replaced Padilla who was initially announced as the retaining chair of the committee.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/29/cayetano-siblings-padilla-marcos-go-get-most-number-of-senate-committees-1757">Marcoleta takes Blue Ribbon; Cayetano siblings, Padilla, Marcos, Go get most number of Senate committees</a></div><p>Padilla may take the Committee on Ethics in exchange for the charter change committee, Sen. Joel Villanueva earlier said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/11/senate-eyes-changes-to-charter-change-panel-but-cha-cha-not-a-priority-1747">Senate eyes changes to charter change panel, but cha-cha not a priority</a></div><p>&quot;We will uphold democratic principles and guarantee a consultative and transparent process in any proposed changes to our Constitution,” Pangilinan added. </p><p>The senator, based on a Senate press release, vowed to conduct a series of public consultations with constitutional experts, civil society representatives, business, local government units and public to discuss possible Constitutional amendments, “and the broader political and social implications of a constitutional reform.”</p><p>&quot;The Constitution belongs to the people, and any move to change it must be anchored on their aspirations and welfare. It must also undergo a thorough, principled, and participatory process,&quot; he said.</p><p>Pangilinan also chaired the committee during his previous senatorial terms.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CHARTER CHANGE</strong></div><p>Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III earlier expressed his openness for a constitutional amendment if the Supreme Court maintains its ruling on the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte as “<a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/25/supreme-court-duterte-impeachment-articles-unconstitutional-1601">unconstitutional</a>.” </p><p>Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, however, <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/11/-senate-s-not-your-playground-escudero-calls-out-sotto-for-backing-house-pursuits-1226">flagged </a>the minority leader for “backing the House of Representatives and its Speaker Martin Romualdez&#x27;s aim for a charter change.”</p><p>Senate, with a vote of 19-5, <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/6/senators-voting-on-marcoleta-motion-to-archive-sara-duterte-impeachment-1906">archived </a>Duterte&#x27;s impeachment case following the SC&#x27;s decision. </p><p>Pangilinan voted against archiving the case, saying the upper chamber should wait for the SC&#x27;s final ruling, as the House appealed for the SC to nullify its decision.</p><p>Last year, a<a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/01/08/24/charter-change-through-peoples-initiative-what-is-it"> People’s Initiative</a> seeking a constitutional amendment had emerged, which faced allegations of corruption and <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/video/news/01/14/24/vote-buying-could-void-signatures-for-peoples-initiative-comelec">vote-buying</a>. </p><p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/2/8/marcos-backs-economic-cha-cha-2147">backed </a>a separate charter change effort last year as well, seeking to amend economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution. This, too, was <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/01/18/24/economic-cha-cha-not-the-key-to-countrys-progress-ibon">opposed </a>by experts, saying it will only benefit foreign investors instead of Filipinos. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/15/solon-revives-bid-to-amend-1987-constitution-on-territorial-economic-provisions-1647">Solon revives bid to amend 1987 Constitution on territorial, economic provisions</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tss5ZhSSFpY?si=XvMgKnB4nyyS9v78" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has been elected as the new chairperson of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Code for the 20th Congress, replacing Sen. Robinhood Padilla.</p>

Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has been elected as the new chairperson of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Code for the 20th Congress, replacing Sen. Robinhood Padilla.

Kiko Pangilinan replaces Padilla as chair of Senate charter change panel

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Kiko Pangilinan replaces Padilla as chair of Senate charter change panel

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 12, 2025 07:35 PM PHT

|

Updated August 12, 2025 08:06 PM PHT

Read More:

Kiko Pangilinan

Robin Padilla

Senate

Charter Change

Impeachment

Sara Duterte

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