Senators react to Cayetano’s snap election proposal

• Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano urged all officials to resign and hold snap elections to restore public trust amid corruption allegations

• Senate President Tito Sotto opposed the idea saying there is no legal or constitutional basis for snap elections

• Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson argued that snap elections would not solve corruption and stressed that swift punishment is the real deterrent

• Furthermore, Senator Erwin Tulfo supported the idea in principle

Senators weighed in on Monday on the proposal of Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano to hold snap elections, a day after he suggested the move as a drastic step to restore public trust amid a wave of corruption scandals rocking the government.

“If we are really serious about restoring trust, then let’s go all in,” Cayetano said on Sunday. “Let everyone resign — from the President down to the last congressman — and let’s hold snap elections.”

He added that to ensure fairness, “None of us who are in office now should be allowed to run again.”

However, the proposal drew mixed reactions from his fellow senators.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III warned against the idea, citing the absence of legal provisions for such an election.

“We have no Constitutional nor legal framework for snap elections,” Sotto said. “We will be flirting with uncertainty and chaos.”

Senator Panfilo Lacson also rejected the suggestion, saying it would not address the root of corruption.

“It will not solve the problem of corruption. The contrary is true,” Lacson said. “Certainty of punishment will deter corruption, especially when the swiftness of conviction is proportionate to the government official’s rank.”

Meanwhile, Senator Erwin Tulfo expressed cautious support but questioned its practicality.

“I agree. But is it possible at this time?” Tulfo asked. “Why not include all elected officials from the president down to councilors,” he added.

Cayetano’s call comes as public frustration mounts over a string of corruption allegations against several government agencies, though Malacañang has yet to issue a statement regarding the senator’s proposal.

Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is a veteran Filipino politician and former police officer who has built a reputation for his strong stance against corruption and government inefficiency. He first rose to prominence as Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from 1999 to 2001, where he was credited with implementing internal reforms and instilling discipline within the force. Lacson later served multiple terms as a senator, earning recognition for his thorough scrutiny of the national budget, where he consistently exposed questionable allocations and “pork barrel” insertions. Known for his tough, no-nonsense style, he has been one of the most vocal advocates of transparency, accountability, and good governance, and he has also run for the presidency of the Philippines more than once.

In a previous report, the Palace said Sen. Marcoleta must answer questions on his wife’s alleged link to Discayas. Edna Marcoleta was allegedly linked to the Milestone Guaranty bond for the flood control project, according to Bilyonaryo. Son Paolo Henry insists she is only an “independent director” at Stronghold Insurance. Some senators said they are wary of Marcoleta’s push to make the Discayas state witnesses.

Earlier, Senators Ping Lacson and Rodante Marcoleta clashed during and even after a Senate flood control hearing. Dispute centered on Lacson’s view that ex-DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez was more credible as a state witness than the Discayas Marcoleta argued against “prejudging” while Lacson asked him about supposedly being “protective of the Discayas”. Despite objections, Lacson resumed the session and allowed ex-engineer Henry Alcantara to testify.

Source: KAMI.com.gh