Governor says Cayetano snap-election call could work

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Monday that the call of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano for the country’s top officials to resign and hold a snap election is “a tough decision” but one that could be welcomed by the public.

“That is a tough decision to make for the senators, congressmen, the president, and the vice president. But I think it may be a popular decision by the public and will be well accepted,” Lacson told reporters Monday.

The governor noted that if all key national officials step down, a snap election would indeed be necessary.

“Of course there is a need for a snap election if they all resign — if the president, the vice president, the senators, and the congressmen will resign — then there really is a need for a snap election,” he said.

Lacson added that the feasibility of such a drastic political move depends largely on the willingness of the mentioned officials to step down.

“Is it workable? Well, it really depends on the officials that were mentioned by Senator Cayetano,” he pointed out.

Cayetano earlier suggested that top government officials, including himself, should voluntarily resign to pave the way for a snap election, with the condition that none of the incumbents would be allowed to run again.

Lacson said he sees merit in the idea, particularly if the proposed reset in leadership would allow the country to elect new leaders “of integrity” committed to fighting corruption.

“It could be a solution, especially if we elect persons of integrity and persons who are decided to eradicate corruption, especially in the higher offices,” he said.

The governor added that resignations among top officials “could help” restore public trust in government institutions, but ultimately, “it would really depend on whom we elect too in case this scenario will happen.”

Cayetano’s proposal has sparked mixed reactions among political figures, with some calling it unrealistic while others say it reflects public frustration over governance and corruption issues.