SENATOR Alan Peter Cayetano on Sunday proposed holding a nationwide “snap election” that would cover the country’s top leadership positions, saying it could serve as a bold step toward restoring public trust in government.
In a post on Facebook, Cayetano acknowledged the growing public disillusionment with politicians and institutions, saying that “now more than ever in our history, politicians are suspects.”
He admitted that many Filipinos have lost confidence in government officials — and that the loss of trust is understandable.
“Honestly, who can blame them?” Cayetano wrote. “Through God’s grace and mercy, public office is public trust. But people have lost trust in government and government officials.”
To address this, the senator floated the idea of a collective resignation — from the President and Vice President down to members of the Senate and House of Representatives — to pave the way for a snap election.
Under his proposal, no incumbent from these positions would be allowed to run for one election cycle, ensuring what he described as a “clean slate for the Filipino people.”
Cayetano noted that the national bureaucracy could continue operating in the interim, while local leaders such as governors, mayors, and barangay officials — whom he described as “generally trusted” — would remain in place to maintain stability.
“Instead of people power, let’s have sacrifice from the people’s servants,” he said. “If we truly serve them, then starting over shouldn’t scare us.”
Calling the idea a “what if” scenario meant for reflection and prayer, Cayetano said genuine renewal in governance would require “radical honesty” and “the courage to admit when it’s time to step aside.”
He urged both public officials and citizens to pray for guidance, saying the country’s renewal could begin not through confrontation, but through humility and faith.
