Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has dismissed Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s proposal for snap elections as "pointless to discuss" due to its unconstitutionality. According to Carpio, preventing incumbent officials from running would be a violation of their constitutional rights.
Carpio explained that disqualification from running must be based on specific laws and court decisions, not blanket prohibitions. He also warned that such a ban would infringe upon the people’s right to vote and be voted for.
Meanwhile, Professor Jean Encinas-Franco of the University of the Philippines’ Department of Political Science described Cayetano’s remark as "irresponsible" and potentially destabilizing. She emphasized that a law is needed to address the issue, not just rhetoric.
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