What do politicians, officials think of Cayetano's snap election suggestion?
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has called for a snap election, proposing that all government officials resign.
The Senate Minority Leader floated the idea in a Facebook post, where he pondered the importance of public trust. This comes amid the Senate and House of Representatives' investigation into the alleged corruption in flood control projects.
Several lawmakers have been tagged in flood control kickbacks, including Senators JV Ejercito and Joel Villanueva, and former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.
Co's former security consultant also alleged that he delivered suitcases containing dirty money to Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez's residence.
"While we see in social media (and surveys) that politicians and politcal figures have their own group of genuine supporters: I dare say, now more than ever in our history, politicians are suspects!" Cayetano said.
"People have lost trust in government and government officials. Honestly, who can blame them?" he added.
Cayetano then posed: "WHAT IF we all just resign and allow a snap election?"
A snap election is called earlier than the scheduled poll, often called to resolve a political crisis.
In this suggestion, he called for officials like the president, vice president, Senate, and Congress to step down. His proposition also stated that incumbent officials cannot run for one election cycle.
"National government has its bureaucracy and will continue to run. Governors, mayors, and barangay chairpersons are generally trusted and will be in place. No drama, no excuses, no recycling. Just a clean slate for the Filipino people," Cayetano said.
Government officials react
Cayetano's idea has since gained attention and garnered reactions from the public and his fellow lawmakers.
In a statement to reporters, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III took issue with Cayetano's proposal, noting that the government has "no constitutional or legal framework for snap elections."
"We will be flirting with uncertainty and chaos," he added.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who is stepping down as the chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, shared similar sentiments in that a snap election is not the answer.
"Election, snap or regular, is not the solution. In fact, election campaigns actually add to more corruption—of the electorate by the candidates. For a change, how about certainty of punishment of corrupt politicians[?] The higher, the better," he said.
Former Senate President Franklin Drilon also disagreed with the proposal, questioning who would take over if everybody resigned.
"We elected these officials; let them finish their terms in accordance with our Constitution. But if they commit malfeasance, in the meantime, prosecute them in accordance with our existing laws in order to impose respect for the law and the rule of law," Drilon told ANC's Headstart.
"But if you're asking everybody to resign? I dread that day if it will come because it's very, very dangerous. We become a banana republic," he continued.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, meanwhile, said that the snap election was merely Cayetano's "wishful thinking."
"We do not have time to talk about one's personal desires," she said.
"Abala ang Pangulo [Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.] na magtrabaho para sa bayan at tulungan ang mga naapektuhan ng lindol at bagyo. Wala po siyang oras sa mga ganitong klaseng pamumulitika. Magfocus po tayong lahat sa pangangailangan ng mamamayan hindi sa mga pansariling interes lang," she added.
On the other side of the coin, former Taguig mayor Lino Cayetano expressed support for his brother's bold proposal.
"Maybe this is the best proposal yet. Ano man ang intensyon nito—baka ito na nga ang natatanging solusyon. Pero kailangan ipakita na sinsero tayo. Let go of power—then people will believe," he said in a Facebook post.
Lino also urged his brother to be the first one to resign. "Pakita natin na hindi ito gimmick na konektado na naman sa politika ng Senado at rigodon ng mga politiko."
Sen. Erwin Tulfo also agreed with the snap election idea but stated some problems that might arise.
"Is it possible at this time? Where will we get the budget? We need to pass a law to fund it. Why not include all elected officials from the president down to councilors?" he said.
Commission on Elections Chairperson George Erwin Garcia further stated that a law is needed to conduct special elections.
"Kakailanganin ng batas o pagbabago sa ating Saligang Batas para lang po magkaroon ng tinatawag na another election," he told Super Radyo DZBB.
The Philippines has only ever had one snap election in 1986 during the reign of the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr. The election took place following criticisms of his government policies.