Progressive lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc on Monday criticized Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s recent call for a snap election, branding it as a “classic diversionary tactic” meant to deflect public attention from pressing issues of corruption and accountability in government.
“This is typical obfuscation of the issue of corruption,” the bloc said in a strongly worded statement.
“Cayetano is trying to divert the focus from corruption accountability to snap elections, giving the illusion that corruption can be addressed simply through the electoral process that is still dominated by political dynasties and corrupt politicians.”
The senator floated the idea of a snap election amid growing public outrage over alleged misuse of public funds and questionable budget insertions.
But Makabayan lawmakers argued that such a proposal fails to confront the systemic roots of corruption and instead risks pacifying legitimate public dissent.
“How will holding snap elections address the issue of accountability?” the bloc asked. “The proposal is a distraction and a way to douse cold water on the people’s protests.”
They warned that merely replacing personalities without structural reforms would be futile.
“A snap election and just a change of personalities without changing the system will not address the roots of corruption,” the statement read.
Makabayan reiterated its call for transparency, independent investigations, and institutional reforms to dismantle entrenched patronage politics. “What we need is not a reset of faces, but a reset of the system,” the bloc emphasized.
As protests and calls for accountability continue to mount, the bloc urged the public to remain vigilant and reject attempts to dilute the clamor for justice with “cosmetic political solutions.” (ZIA LUNA)
