Senate leaders reject Cayetano’s snap elections push

Metro Manila, Philippines - Senate leaders have rejected Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano’s proposal for all nationally-elected officials to resign to pave the way for snap elections aimed at restoring public trust in government.

In a social media post on Sunday, October 5, Cayetano said: “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.”

He added that no incumbent official should seek re-election in the proposed snap polls to allow for “a clean slate for the Filipino people.” Local officials, he said, need not step down as they are “generally trusted.”

But Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III firmly rejected the proposal, citing the lack of constitutional and legal basis.

“We have no Constitutional nor legal framework for snap elections. We will be flirting with uncertainty and chaos,” Sotto said in a message to reporters on Monday, October 6.

The Philippines held a snap presidential and vice-presidential election in February 1986, following a declaration by then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos. He was declared the winner, but widespread allegations of electoral fraud triggered the historic People Power Revolution that ousted his dictatorship.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson echoed Sotto’s stance, stressing that snap elections are not supported by the 1987 Constitution.

“First, there’s nothing in the constitution that provides for a snap election. Second, it will not solve the problem of corruption,” Lacson said.

“Certainty of punishment will deter corruption, especially when the swiftness of conviction is proportionate to the government official’s rank,” he added.

Lacson earlier announced he would step down as chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, following criticisms from some majority bloc senators over his handling of an inquiry into anomalous flood control projects — a probe that has implicated some lawmakers.

Meanwhile, Senator Erwin Tulfo expressed support for Cayetano’s suggestion but raised practical concerns.

“Where will we get the budget? We need to pass a law to fund it,” he said.

“Why not include all elected officials from the president down to councilors,” he added.