Senators weigh in on snap elections proposal

Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III warned Monday of "uncertainty and chaos" if there will be a snap election as the country has no legal framework for it.

Sotto made the statement after Senator Alan Peter Cayetano floated the idea of a snap election of the President, Vice President, and members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

"We have no Constitutional nor legal framework for snap elections. We will be flirting with uncertainty and chaos. Just my opinion," Sotto said in a message to reporters.

In a press conference later in the day, the Senate leader also said the idea is “far-fetched,” adding the best way to restore public trust is to ensure the 2026 national budget is “transparent [and] everything will be done in purview of the public”. 

“What do you do with those who are not guilty, 'yung newly-elected and have no bad records, what do you do with them, idadamay mo sa mukhang guilty, bakit natin idadamay 'yung malinis sa marumi,” said Sotto. 

(What do you do with those who are not guilty, those newly-elected and have no bad records, what do you do with them, you will make them suffer because of those who were guilty?)

“I don't know. It's very far-fetched as far as I'm concerned. We will be entering something like uncertainty and chaos in the political world pagkaganoon,” he added. 

In a Facebook post, Cayetano said "people have lost trust in government and government officials. Honestly, who can blame them.”

“So here’s a thought: WHAT IF we all just resign and allow a Snap Election. From The President, Vice President, Senate, and Congress. With One Important Addition — No Incumbent From The Above Can Run For 1 Election Cycle,” he added.

But for Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, the certainty of punishment is the key to restoring public trust in the government and not a snap election.

"For a change, how about certainty of punishment of corrupt politicians? The higher the better," he said.

He added that an election, whether snap or regular, may even fuel more corruption as candidates may try to buy votes, in many cases using taxpayers' money.

"Election, snap or regular, is not the solution. In fact, election campaigns actually add to more corruption - of the electorate by the candidates," he said.

He further said the swiftness of conviction would be a stronger deterrent to corruption.

Senator Erwin Tulfo, for his part, agreed with Cayetano but asked if it is possible at this time. 

"Where will we get the budget? We need to pass a law to fund it. Why not include all elected officials from the President down to councilors," he said. —AOL, GMA Integrated News