MANILA – A proposal from Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano to hold snap elections has drawn mixed reactions from his colleagues in the Senate.
Cayetano, in a Facebook post, said public confidence in government has eroded and floated a drastic solution: “people have lost trust in government and government officials. Honestly, who can blame them.”
“So here’s a thought: WHAT IF we all just resign and allow a Snap Election. From The President, Vice President, Senate, and Congress. With One Important Addition — No Incumbent From The Above Can Run For 1 Election Cycle,” he suggested.
But Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III was quick to reject the idea, stressing the lack of any legal basis.
“We have no constitutional nor legal framework for snap elections. We will be flirting with uncertainty and chaos. Just my opinion,” he said in a message to reporters.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson also questioned the proposal, insisting that accountability, not new polls, is the answer.
“For a change, how about certainty of punishment of corrupt politicians? The higher the better,” he remarked.
Lacson added that elections — whether early or on schedule — could worsen corruption.
“Election, snap or regular, is not the solution. In fact, election campaigns actually add to more corruption – of the electorate by the candidates,” he said, arguing that swift convictions would better restore trust.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo, meanwhile, expressed partial support for Cayetano’s call but raised practical concerns.
“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.
The debate over snap elections comes amid mounting public frustration with governance, but senators remain divided on whether a fresh mandate — or stronger enforcement of laws — is the real cure./PN
