The Statesman's Affidavit
The Statesman's Affidavit is a political reform initiative launched on April 2, 2025, by a private citizen named Jonelle Peter Muñoz. It is a one-page sworn affidavit designed for local election candidates, particularly those running for city mayor in the Philippines.
The document outlines a candidate's public commitment to pass key anti-corruption ordinances within the first year in office, including a resignation penalty clause if the pledge is not fulfilled. The affidavit aims to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen trust in local governance through legally binding declaration.
2025 Philippine Election
Five Seconds Challenge to End Corruption and Political Dynasty - Will they sign?
A contract has three important elements: a promise, an obligation, and a penalty.
A sworn affidavit, even though it is not a contract, can be used by any good politician to build trust and win votes.
- A promise made during the campaign period.
- An obligation to fulfill that promise.
- A penalty in case the politician fails to deliver.
Benigno Aquino III promised to pass the Freedom of Information Bill into Law during the campaign period. However, after elected as President, he failed to prioritize the bill for six consecutive years.
Corruption has become the norm among many politicians. Good people become bad due to the lack of a transparency mechanism. Even the Vice President proudly announced in public:
"Napakaliit na amount ang P150 million. So bakit kami magnanakaw ng P150 million? Ang nakawan sa gobyerno ay bilyon-bilyon."
(P150 million is a very small amount. So why would we steal P150 million? Corruption in the government involves billions.)
There are 149 cities and 89 provinces in the Philippines. If each of them had a Freedom of Information Ordinance (or Local Law) with a penalty provision, it would be a powerful tool against corruption in the entire Philippines.
In 2018, Mayor Vico Sotto introduced a local FOI law in Pasig City with penalties:
- 1st Offense: Reprimand
- 2nd Offense: Suspension of five (5) to thirty (30) days
- 3rd Offense: Dismissal from service
"May ngipin ang lokal na batas." Any local public official can be dismissed from office and lose their job if they fail to provide the requested document to the public.
Without corruption, we can have more funding for education, health, and other public services. All Filipinos can go to school without financial difficulties due to scholarships, and everyone can get the medical treatment they need without waiting for months or years.
This affidavit is an experiment - but one worth trying.
If it does not work, life moves on. "Mabubudol na naman ang taumbayan ng mga politicians with empty promises."
But if it does work, it could be an unorthodox solution for passing the Freedom of Information Ordinance and other landmark laws in many cities and provinces.
"We can either accept deception as normal, or we can try something new."
The question to all Mayor and Governor Aspirants:
Will you sign this document in five seconds?
I can sign a document like this in five seconds. You can sign a document like this in five seconds. A good politician, to end broken promises, can sign a document like this in five seconds. Even a blind Filipino, after hearing the FOI Ordinance of Mayor Vico Sotto, can sign this document in five seconds.
As a responsible Filipinos, we must demand from all politicians the highest standard of public service, transparency, and real accountability.
Elections only happen every three years. And there is a 45-day campaign period to sign a document like this in five seconds.
Kindly tag or send this document to any Mayor and Governor candidate. A wise person will act upon it. Integrity begins with a signature.
The future is ours to change - let us start now.
Ipanalo natin ang Pilipinas !!!
The Statesman's Affidavit for Senator
At the national level, The Statesman’s Affidavit serves as a voluntary sworn commitment for senatorial candidates, aligning their term with measurable legislative goals. Candidates who sign the affidavit pledge to prioritize the passage of key anti-corruption and governance reform bills within a specified timeline. The initiative expands beyond local elections to institutionalize ethical leadership and national accountability.
The priority bills under the senatorial version include:
- One Day Platform Bill
- Anti-Epal Bill
- SALN Publication Bill
- Night School Reform Bill
- Live-Streamed Government Negotiation Tables Bill
- Fair Debate Framework Bill
- Full-time Politician Bill
- One Bank Account with Deposit Limit Bill
- Local Perceived Corruption Index (PCI) Bill
- Full Online Transparency of LGU Operations Bill