Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday said he is prepared to step down first if his colleagues agree to hold snap elections, stressing that the country needs “transformation and revival,” not another uprising.
“Pangungunahan ko, payag ako mauna. No problem doon,” Cayetano said in a GMA News Online report. He clarified, however, that he will only do so if other senators also commit to resign. “Mauna means lahat kami. Walang nagsasabing ikaw mag-isa… Kung gusto niyo mauna ako, basta’t may assurance akong susunod kayo,” he added.
Cayetano earlier proposed nationwide snap elections covering the President, Vice President, Senate, and House of Representatives, with all incumbents barred from running for one term. He said the idea stemmed from the public’s loss of trust in government amid corruption allegations.
The senator admitted his proposal was a long shot but maintained that it could pave the way for a “clean slate” in Philippine politics. “Ang sinasabi ko, mag-sacrifice tayo, hindi mag-suicide,” he said, adding that the move would only make sense if all officials joined the initiative.
Cayetano’s proposal has been dismissed by key officials. Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said the Constitution provides no mechanism for snap elections. Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia also stated that such polls cannot proceed without a new law authorizing them.
Malacañang, for its part, described Cayetano’s proposal as mere “wishful thinking.”
Cayetano, however, insisted the discussion is worth having. “It’s improbable, it’s not impossible,” he said. “Kailan ka pa mag-iisip mag-cleansing, mag-clean slate, kapag sinusunog na ang bahay ng mga congressman at senador or may people power na?”
