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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PBBM has no time for politicking; snap elections just 'wishful thinking'—Palace

PBBM has no time for politicking; snap elections just 'wishful thinking'—Palace

Published Oct 6, 2025 02:09 pm
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Malacañang Photo)
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Malacañang Photo)
Amid Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s call for snap elections, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said on Monday, Oct. 6, that President Marcos has no time for politics and advised the senator to focus on serving the people instead.

“It is just his wishful thinking. We do not have time to talk about one's personal desires,” she said in a text message to reporters when asked about the senator’s proposal.

Castro stressed that Marcos is busy working and helping the victims of typhoons and the recent 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu City.

“Abala ang Pangulo na magtrabaho para sa bayan at tulungan ang mga naapektuhan ng lindol at bagyo (The President is busy working for the country and helping those affected by the earthquake and typhoon),” she said.

“Wala po siyang oras sa mga ganitong klaseng pamumulitika (He doesn’t have time for this kind of politicking),” she added.

Instead, without naming Cayetano, the Palace official gave an advice about focusing on the needs of the people.

“Mag focus po tayong lahat sa pangangailangan ng mamamayan hindi sa mga pansariling interes lang (Let us focus on the needs of our people, and not on our personal interests),” she said.

On Sunday, Oct. 5, the Senate Minority Leader pushed for snap elections for elected officials in the executive and legislative branches amid the political confusion brought by the massive flood control corruption.

In 1986, the Philippines held a snap election pitting the President’s father and namesake—former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.—versus former president Cory Aquino.

While the Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared Marcos Sr. as the winner, this was muddled by accusations of cheating and eventually led to the People Power Revolution that toppled the Marcos dictatorship.

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President Marcos Alan Peter Cayetano snap elections Malacañang
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