SENATOR Alan Peter Cayetano on Sunday appealed to all sitting government officials — from Congress to Malacañang — to resign and give way to a snap election for a completely new set of leaders.
In a statement posted on his official social media pages, Cayetano said this may be the only way to rebuild public trust in the country’s political institutions.
He said the series of corruption scandals hounding the government “has eroded the very foundation of our people’s faith in leadership” and that genuine accountability requires more than words from public officials.
“If we are really serious about restoring trust, then let’s go all in,” Cayetano said. “Let everyone resign — from the President down to the last congressman — and let’s hold snap elections.”
“But here’s the catch,” he added. “None of us who are in office now should be allowed to run again.”
The senator, who currently serves as the minority leader, said his proposal is both symbolic and practical, a “national reset button” meant to show that public service is about stewardship and not self-preservation.
“Radical honesty means we don’t pretend the system is fine when everyone can see it’s broken,” he said. “If we truly serve the people, then we should be willing to sacrifice our posts for the sake of rebuilding their trust.”
Cayetano’s statement came amid renewed public outrage over a string of high-profile corruption allegations involving infrastructure projects and the misuse of discretionary funds.
Unprecedented call
Political analysts described Cayetano’s call as “unprecedented in recent memory,” noting that while calls for resignation are common, a blanket resignation proposal from a sitting senator is rare.
Malacañang has yet to issue a formal response, but some administration allies privately dismissed the idea as “political theater.” Others, however, said Cayetano’s proposal reflects the growing frustration even within the ranks of government.
Cayetano’s “resign-all” challenge echoes earlier reform movements that sought moral renewal in government, such as calls for accountability during the post-EDSA administrations. But unlike past appeals focused on specific officials, Cayetano’s proposal targets the entire political structure.
“We can’t rebuild trust with the same people who broke it,” the Minority Leader said. “The Filipino people deserve a clean slate, and that starts with us stepping aside.”
Reactions to Cayetano’s call have been mixed on social media. Some praised Cayetano’s candor, calling it a refreshing show of integrity, while others viewed it as political positioning ahead of the 2028 elections.
“Even if it’s idealistic, it forces a conversation we need to have,” one netizen commented.
Cayetano ended his statement with a strong reminder: “Leadership is not about entitlement, it’s about stewardship. And sometimes, the most honest thing we can do is to let go.”
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