Concerned with how “politicians” are ruining the country and how the Filipino people are losing their trust in the government, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano came up with a proposal seemingly out of left field: snap elections.
“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 one election cycle,” he said.
Well, yes, it sounds good on paper. Do away with all those who are perpetuating corruption and political dynasties. But it might do more harm than good.
Asking everyone in the top government positions to just suddenly resign and leave their posts will create instability. And we all know what happens when a power vacuum is suddenly created; others will rush in to take advantage of the situation.
Holding snap elections now can even be said of as unconstitutional because, for one, it goes against Republic Act No. 7166, the act providing for synchronized national and local elections, which provides that national elections can only be held every six years and local elections every three years.
For another, he mentions that some people shouldn’t be allowed to run anymore. How exactly does he plan on doing that? Doesn’t that go against one’s basic rights to run for office?
Now there are some of us who cannot help but see this as just a move to win himself some brownie points with the hoi polloi. Others ask if he’s really serious about it: Really? He will resign and give up his influence?
Of course, Cayetano knows this proposal doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell. Right now, we don’t have the budget for such an election. We don’t have the counting machines available for such an election. With all the concerns and scandals the government is dealing with we can’t even entertain the idea.
Sure, emotions are high and people are disgruntled and calling for change, calling for an end to corruption and political dynasties. But snap polls aren’t likely to produce better results.