Manila, Philippines – With the ongoing investigations on anomalies and corruption in the government, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano suggests one solution to the issue—mass resignation of the national government’s officials.
In a statement, Cayetano says he understands why the public has lost its trust to the government and its officials, given that some lawmakers have already been tagged in the flood control and budget scandal.
With this, Cayetano recommended that all the officials—from the President, Vice President, Senate, and Congress—should resign and then a Snap Elections be held after.
“Under this is a condition that no incumbent officials from the said posts can run in the snap elections.
“No drama, no excuses, no recycling. Just a clean slate for the Filipino people.
A turning point leading to ReNewal and ReVival.
Instead Of People Power Sacrifice From People’s Servants!,” Cayetano took on social media.
Cayetano emphasized that if these officials are really true to their service, then they will have the courage to let go of the post to regain the public’s trust with the government.
Following this, progressive groups condemned the resignations and snap elections call, arguing that this will not solve corruption.
For the Makabayan bloc, Cayetano shifts the public’s eye from corruption accountability to snap elections.
“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.
A snap election and just a change of personalities without changing the system will not address the roots of corruption,” Makabayan bloc stated.
In a separate statement, Cayetano defended his recommendation, underscoring that it is easier to hold corrupt officials accountable if they are not in any government position and power.
The senator also clarified that this is a mere suggestion, and that he does not order the President, Vice President, and the members of the Congress to resign.
Instead, Cayetano noted that this is just a call for a possibility of having a clean slate, and a challenge to officials on whether they will be willing to resign from their posts.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on the other hand, firmly believes that resignation of officials tied with anomalies and corruption will never be enough for them to be accountable.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News