Zubiri willing to risk Senate presidency for economic Cha-cha

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 18) -- Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Thursday assured that constitutional amendments under his watch would be limited to economic provisions, leaving political provisions untouched.

"[T]he Senate through almost all the senators I had spoken to and met with only agree to economic amendments and that's why the public need not fear our push for simple but meaningful amendments to the Charter," Zubiri said in a statement.

«I shall risk my leadership on that. No other motives whatsoever,» he also said, confirming reports that he is willing to resign as Senate president if the chamber passes changes to political provisions.

Meanwhile, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, a member of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, said Zubiri's pronouncement shows how much he «wants to protect the Senate as an institution.»

Estrada said he believes the Senate's move to lead efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution would not cost Zubiri's position, despite the chamber's traditional coldness to charter change.

«Walang change of Senate leadership. I don't think so. And who will challenge the leadership of the SP? I don't think anybody would challenge the leadership,» Estrada told reporters.

«He's doing good. Lahat kami nirerespeto siya (We all respect him),» the senator added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier asked the Senate to lead the review on the economic provisions of the Constitution.

This is in the wake of a controversial signature drive for people's initiative — a way to amend the Charter through a petition from 12% of registered voters.

The campaign allegedly offered money and social aid in exchange for signatures, sparking public outrage.