House Committee on Higher and Technical Education chair Jude Acidre on Friday called on Senator Imee Marcos to stop spreading what he described as “baseless conspiracy theories” about extending President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s term and to instead focus on her constitutional duties in the upcoming impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Acidre issued the statement after the senator claimed that alleged moves toward constitutional amendments were supposedly 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.

“Walang saysay ang pagpapakalat ng mga imbentong conspiracy theory habang may malinaw na tungkuling konstitusyonal na dapat harapin ang Senado bilang (There is no point in spreading fabricated conspiracy theories while there is a clear constitutional duty that the Senate faces as an) impeachment court,” he added.

Acidre stressed that the 1987 Constitution clearly imposes a single six-year term on the President, and any insinuation that Congress is secretly plotting to cancel elections or extend terms only serves to distract the public from more urgent national issues.

“The Constitution is very clear. President Marcos cannot run again in 2028. To keep repeating this narrative despite the absence of evidence only deepens political toxicity and confusion,” he pointed out.

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.

He reminded senators that millions of Filipinos are expecting the Senate to uphold the Constitution and conduct the impeachment trial with seriousness, impartiality, and respect for due process.

“Ang inaasahan ng taumbayan ay katotohanan, pananagutan, at maayos na paglilitis – hindi pananakot, hindi propaganda, at lalong hindi gawa-gawang kwento tungkol sa (The people expect truth, accountability and an orderly trial – not intimidation, not propaganda, and certainly not invented stories on) martial law or term extension,” Acidre said.

He likewise warned against using constitutional reform discussions as a political scare tactic, noting that sinister plots without proof only damage institutions and further divide the country.

“At this crucial time, public officials should help calm the nation—not inflame it with reckless accusations,” Acidre said. (PNA)