Snap elections won't fix corruption in government, solons say
MANILA, Philippines — Holding a snap election in response to corruption is not a remedy but a political diversion that would do little to restore public trust and punish corrupt officials, House lawmakers said.
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano stirred debate when he suggested over the weekend that it might be best for all top government officials, from the president down to members of Congress, to resign so the public can choose new leaders.
He claimed a national reset through elections would help rebuild government's credibility, especially as investigations into rigged public infrastructure deals have implicated officials across multiple levels of government.
In a statement on Monday, October 6, the three-member Makabayan bloc said Cayetano’s idea “gives the illusion that corruption can be addressed simply through the electoral process.”
The problem, they stressed, is that even the electoral system remains dominated by political dynasties and contractors with vested interests.
“How will holding snap elections address the issue of accountability? The proposal is a distraction and a way to douse cold water on the people’s protests,” Makabayan lawmakers said.
“A snap election and just a change of personalities without changing the system will not address the roots of corruption,” they added.
'Tone-deaf'
For another minority lawmaker, the call for a snap election is "tone deaf." Rep. Perci Cendaña (Akbayan Party-list) said the people are demanding for accountability, not elections.
"Baka nga sa snap election na proposal, baka maka-evade pa ng accountability ang dapat panagutin," he said in an ambush interview. ("It's even possible that in a proposed snap election, those liable would evade accountability.")
Rep. Leila de Lima (ML Party-list) echoed Cendaña's arguments, adding that the public discourse has alread been muddled by false narratives attempting to divert people's attention from what has already been revealed.
“Marami nang nabunyag na katiwalian at sabwatan. Pero marami rin ang nanggugulo at nagpapalabo dito — mga naglalabas at nagpapakalat ng fake news, mga naninira sa mismong tumutugis sa mga corrupt at naglalantad ng mga kalokohan sa gobyerno, at meron din namang bida-bida na kung ano-ano na lang ang sina-suggest,” she said.
("A lot of corruption and collusion have already been exposed. But there are also many who are sowing confusion — spreading fake news, discrediting those who go after the corrupt and expose wrongdoing in government, and some who just want attention by making all sorts of suggestions.")
"Para saan? Para sa pansariling agenda, para ma-distract at malihis tayo sa tunay dapat nating layunin — ang malaman ang buong katotohanan,” De Lima added. ("For what? For personal agendas, to distract and divert us from our true goal — to uncover the whole truth.")
Rep. Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro Party-list), chair of the House Committee on Infrastructure, also pointed out that the 1987 Constitution does not permit snap elections.
“Under absolutely no circumstance can we have snap elections under the 1987 Constitution. It is not the solution to regain public trust,” he told Philstar.com in a message.
Swift prosecution
Rep. Chel Diokno (Akbayan Party-list) noted the last instance occurred under Martial Law during the Marcos dictatorship — a context far removed from today.
"At kakaiba ang sitwasyon na 'yon dahil ang umiiral noon ay batas militar nga. I don't think we see any similar situation at present," he said in an ambush interview, adding that members of Congress are clearly doing their jobs. ("And the situation then was extraordinary, because martial rule was enforced...")
Diokno added that accountability means filing and prosecuting cases swiftly, urging the judiciary to prioritize corruption cases.
For Ridon, the government must focus on regaining trust. “What is most urgent is for government to ensure that all persons liable for the misuse of public funds, whether flood control or confidential funds, are held accountable,” Ridon added.
The controversy. All this came shortly after Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Ping Lacson announced the suspension of the flood control probe “until further notice,” while also stepping down from his post amid dissatisfaction from fellow senators.
Lacson’s exit has led to renewed calls for transparency as the Independent Commission for Infrastructure continues its parallel investigation behind closed doors.
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