Manila: Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson on Monday said restoring public trust in government cannot be achieved through political resets such as snap elections, but through firm accountability and the certainty of punishment for wrongdoing.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lacson remarked that elections, whether snap or regular, do not address the root issues affecting public trust. He argued that the election campaigns often exacerbate corruption, as candidates might resort to unethical practices to win votes. Lacson's comments were in response to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano's proposal for all national officials to resign and hold a snap election as a means to rebuild public trust.

Cayetano's proposal for a 'national reset' involved the mass resignation of top officials and the organization of fresh elections, which he claimed would showcase 'radical honesty' in governance. However, Lacson countered that such measures are insufficient in addressing corruption and restoring public trust.

Lacson emphasized that the fight against corruption can only be successful if those responsible for abuses are promptly charged, prosecuted, convicted, and punished. He suggested that ensuring certainty of punishment for corrupt politicians, especially those in higher positions, is crucial.

He further highlighted the necessity of strengthening the justice system and dismantling the culture of impunity to bring about real reform. Lacson maintained that simply changing leaders through elections is not a solution.

'Ang katiyakan ng parusa - hindi ang halalan - ang tunay na sus¬ sa pagpapanumbalik ng tiwala ng taumbayan (The certainty of punishment - not elections - is the real key to restoring public trust),' he added.