Press Release
April 10, 2016

Cayetano: time to change the story of our elections

"Panahon na para baguhin ang kwento ng ating eleksyon."

This was the final message delivered by vice presidential candidate and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano during the first Vice Presidential Debate organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) at the University of Sto. Tomas on April 10.

During his 1-minute closing statement, Cayetano, who runs alongside Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, lamented how the country remains hounded by issues of corruption, crime, and poverty, which add to the disorder in the people's lives.

"Nais ko ay isang Pilipinas na hindi na magulo. Nais ko ay malaya tayong lahat sa krimen, droga, at korapsyon," he said, stressing that the situation has become so dire that nothing short of bold solutions are needed to end the cycle of disorder.

Cayetano said the upcoming May polls could play a vital role in creating real changes in the country, that is, if the right leaders get elected.

End the "Marcos-Aquino, Aquino-Marcos replay"

"Alam niyo po, paulit-ulit na lamang ang kwento ng ating eleksyon. Panay replay: Marcos-Aquino, Aquino-Marcos. Wala na bang iba? Tama na. Baguhin na natin ang kwento ng ating bansa," he said.

The senator stressed that, of all the candidates in the elections, only he and Duterte have the political will and strength of character to address the Filipinos' basic concerns,as they are not beholden to any political backer and have not been involved in any corruption issue.

"Sino sa mga kandidato natin ang nasa panig ng mamamayan? Sino sa mga nasa entablado ngayon ang lalaban para sa tao? Sila na hawak sa leeg ng mga makapangyarihan, sila na produkto ng pagnanakaw at korapsyon, sila na ipagpapatuloy ang kapalpakan sa gobyerno, o ang lider na may takot sa Diyos, buo ang loob at dati nang lumalaban," Cayetano said. "Panahon na para tapusin ang gulo. Panahon na para sa tunay ba pagbabago. Ito ang ipaglalaban namin ni Mayor Duterte. At sa tulong at gabay ng Diyos, sama-sama nating babaguhin ang Pilipinas," he added.

Spare tire, flat tires

Asked whether he considers the vice presidency as a mere spare tire, Cayetano answered, "I don't see the vice presidency as a spare tire. I never look at any position as a spare tire. Pero 'yung iba, ang ganda nga ng mga posisyon nila, absent naman lagi sa laban ng tao, mga flat tire."

News Latest News Feed