Cayetano Dared: Step Down First

If Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano wants resignations and a snap election for the president, vice president and members of Congress, he can lead the way and step down first, according to his brother.

The proposal could “spark” genuine transformation, but only if the senator and his family of politicians make the first move, former Taguig mayor Lino Cayetano said on Monday, Oct. 6.

“I support this proposal. I agree with my brother Alan and ask that we start with ourselves. Give up power. And this movement for real transformation will be a legacy our father will be truly proud of,” Lino Cayetano said in a Facebook post over the weekend.

He said the Senate “will function without the Cayetanos.”

The Cayetano “political party,” he noted, has had 15 years to institute reforms, and that the Senate should be strong enough to continue without them.

“If you truly believe what you say, then trust and have faith that if some of the old guard step down now, it will inspire others to follow,” the former mayor said. “I will support further that no Cayetano should run in 2028 – all of us.”

The younger Cayetano, who was Taguig City mayor from 2019 to 2022, stressed that the proposal should not just be dismissed as a political gimmick but as a sincere effort to respond to the people’s “anger and demand for change.”

He said his elder brother’s proposal may convince older politicians to step aside to give the next generation a chance to lead.

“For the status quo to step down may be the only way to give our country a chance – maybe this is our only hope for real change,” he said.

Comelec: Law needed

But in the absence of a law, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) cannot allow the holding of snap elections.

While he is open to the idea, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said a snap election would only be possible if an amendment to the Constitution is made or if a law allowing such is enacted.

“Under the present 1987 Constitution, with all due respect, that would be a problem because the terms of office of government officials are fixed,” Garcia said in Filipino in a radio inter-view.

On Sunday, Oct. 5, Cayetano dared elected officials – from the president to lawmakers – to resign to give way to snap elections, where none of them would be allowed to participate.

For its part, Malacañang dismissed as “wishful thinking” Senator Cayetano’s suggestion that all officials step down and a snap election be held to restore the public's trust in the government.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President is preoccupied with his responsibilities and has no time for “politicking.”

“It is just his wishful thinking. We do not have time to talk about one’s personal desires,” the Palace press officer said in a statement.

“The President is busy working for the nation and helping those affected by the earthquake and typhoon. He has no time for these kinds of politicking. Let us focus on the needs of the people, not on personal interests,” she added.

‘Uncertainty, chaos’

For Senate President Vicente Sotto III, holding a snap election would be “flirting with uncertainty and chaos.”

In rejecting Cayetano’s proposal, Sotto said the country has “no constitutional nor legal framework for a snap election.”

Sotto said resignations cannot be an option, especially since not all elected officials have betrayed public trust.

Instead of resignations, Sotto said the Senate may be able to restore public trust by making the budget-making process transparent and accountable.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, for his part, said the real solution lies in holding corrupt officials accountable, not in replacing elected leaders through another election.

He also warned that another election could “fuel more corruption” as candidates resort to vote buying, often using public funds.

The Makati Business Club (MBC) said changing systems, not calling for the mass resignation of elected officials, is key to strengthening government institutions and democracy.

“Simply changing the people in power will not achieve the lasting improvement in the country’s governance,” the business group said in a statement on Monday.

The group said there are many proposed systemic changes languishing in the legislature, including an anti-dynasty law, changes in the bank secrecy laws and Freedom of Information law.

In the ongoing probe on corruption in flood control, the MBC said Filipinos are demanding transparency, accountability and justice.

“These are immediate measures that need to be put in place for meaningful reforms that the country needs,” the MBC said. – With Mayen Jaymalin, Neil Jayson Servallos, Alexis Romero, Delon Porcalla, Louella Desiderio