"No election" scenario for lawmakers in the Philippines? No to 2019 Senatorial election?

Philippine House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez
at the Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives
by Saiph121 under Public Domain

Some lawmakers are agreeing with House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez's proposal to extend their terms so they can be present for the transition of the current form of government to the Federal Form of government. No elections for 2019. Of course, who wouldn't want to stay in power longer?

In all honesty, I don't like Pantaleon "Panty" Alvarez. He's an egotistical, sexist, philandering jerk who would be better off not leading the House of Representatives. I have no idea how he was able to turn the heads of Congress in his favor- I guess he made 251 promises and has been keen on keeping those promises since members of the Congress seem to favor him. I guess his mouth is sore from all the blowing he's been doing. ☺

Kidding aside, I searched through Wikipedia about the upcoming 2019 Philippine Senatorial elections. I had thought the reason why Alvarez would suggest such a thing is if his term is ending (which obviously isn't) or the line of Senators that are up for re-election are mostly from his political party. I was surprised to see the list of names of considered candidates for Senate. For PDP-Laban, candidates being considered that really shocked me are Vitaliano Aguirre, Ronald Dela Rosa, and Mocha Uson. For the Liberal Party, Cynthia Patag, Dinky Soliman, Mariel de Leon, Jim Paredes, and Raissa Robles. I understand that Vitaliano Aquirre is qualified, maybe Dela Rosa can do a so-so job, but MOCHA USON, CYNTHIA PATAG, JIM PAREDES, MARIEL DE LEON, and RAISSA ROBLES?! You guys have got to be kidding me. It's like a high school popularity contest. We already have Senator Manny Pacquiao (High School or is it Gradeschool graduate), Tito Sotto (plagiarist), Nancy Binay ( although finished college has no background in law nor politics), and Risa Hontiveros (campaigned against the Bataan Power Plant- thanks for making Filipinos suffer from brownouts) who I feel have no right to be part of the 24. But, if this list of considered candidates become reality, guys please re-elect Nancy Binay, Bam Aquino, Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar instead of considering new and possibly worse candidates. I can't imagine Mocha Uson and Mariel de Leon in the Senate. It'll be like a catfight waiting to happen. Just consider them for re-election. Please?

Mocha Uson for Senator?
Rodrigo Duterte and Mocha Uson by Robinson Ninal
is licensed under Public Domain.

If these are the candidates that political parties are considering (see list here- Philippine Senate Election, 2019), then I agree with Pantaleon Alvarez proposal for a "no-election" 2019. Although he elaborates on his proposal saying at a press conference, "Let's be practical. Pag nag-shift ka into a different form of government- unitary to a federal, you need a transition government." He prefers that all 24 Senators end their terms in 2022 to give way to the federal form of government. In my opinion, it'll be cheaper for the government because they'll save from a "no election" scenario and yes, why can't all the senators just end their terms all at the same time- it'll be a clean slate for everyone.

As for Federalism, I will discuss that subject matter in future posts. For now, since everyone seems to be disturbed about Alvarez's proposal to cancel the 2019 election to be undemocratic, I see the practicality in all of it. Maybe, this can be an eye-opener for everyone.

The Pinoy Inquisitor will be back again in search of answers to his next question.

Image credit: Pixabay