Alan Cayetano asks gov’t leaders anew: Are you willing to resign?

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano —File photo by Noy Morcoso | INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Senate  Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday pressed for his “national reset” proposal, urging government leaders to answer first this primordial question: Are you willing to resign?

“Are you willing to resign is the first and essential question. Just answer that first, please!” Cayetano said in his latest post on social media, adding that resignation should come with a commitment that incumbent officials should not run for any position for one election cycle.

“Believe me, once that’s settled, all the other questions will be easy to answer or discuss,” he said.

To restore public trust amid the corruption scandal plaguing the government, Cayetano earlier called for the resignation of all national leaders and the holding of a snap election.

But Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, in separate  messages to reporters, said nothing in the Constitution provided for snap elections.

Cayetano then clarified his proposal in his latest social media post.

“It’s not my job nor my intention to tell anyone what to do, to tell anyone to resign, to tell the president, the VP, senators and congressmen and women to resign. My duty is to reflect on the problems our nation faces. Discern, pray, then articulate ideas,” he pointed out.

He noted, however, that the “sheer massiveness” of those allegedly involved in the scandal and the staggering amount of money stolen from government’s coffers, already call for “immediate, effective and decisive action,” which  he said “sadly and unfortunately is not happening.”

“Thus, the need for radical solutions,“ the senator said.

Several lawmakers, including former Senate President  Francis “Chiz” Escudero and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, have been dragged into the flood control projects mess, which has been the subject of separate investigations by Congress and the Independent Commission for  Infrastructure.

“Not everyone is dirty, but the system is broken, making accountability very difficult,” Cayetano said.

“Having a clean slate will allow us to act faster, be more effective, and decisive in finding and punishing those who are guilty. No hiding behind legislative immunity,” he explained.

“The question to the above officials is not ‘Is sacrificing for the nation possible? Can Comelec [Commission on Elections] do it and be fair? Is there a legal framework?” he said.

“The question is very simple. It’s a personal question. Are you willing to resign?” he asked in his post. /apl