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Cayetano forms own 'band' in Congress

Philippines | National

Cayetano forms own 'band' in Congress

By Ellson Quismorio

Alan Peter Cayetano's "band" in the House of Representatives is back together under the controversial coalition name, "BTS sa Congress."

Alan Peter Cayetano (Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)

In a statement, the former Speaker admitted that using BTS was intended to “get people’s attention” since it is also the name of the South Korean boy band considered to be the biggest musical act in the world today.

Cayetano said in the case of the new group, BTS means two things: “back to service Congress” and “bayanihan, tapang, serbisyo (cooperation, courage, service).”

The choice of BTS had received a backlash from the Korean group's fans — who call themselves the Army — as they seemingly did not appreciate the boy band’s name being used by politicians.

Cayetano, however, said the group does not mean any offense to fans, “kakampi man namin (o) kalaban (whether they are allies or opponents).”

“'Yung iba natutuwa, yung iba nagagalit. Ang point, gusto naming ibalik yung issue sa pinakakailangan ng ating bayan, which is buhay at kabuhayan (Some are happy, others are angry. The point is that we want to bring back the main issues that the country needs, which are lives and livelihoods)," added the Taguig-Pateros congressman.

BTS sa Congress is expected to hold a press conference Thursday afternoon in Quezon City, with the main topic being COVID-19 vaccination.

Expected to attend the presser along with Cayetano are Reps. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. (Camarines Sur), Michael Defensor (ANAKALUSUGAN Party-list), Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado (Bulacan), Raneo Abu (Batangas), Fredenil Castro (Capiz), and Danilo Ramon Fernandez.

The BTS sa Congress members lost their plum posts in the House after Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco assumed the Speakership last October.

Whether or not Cayetano's band will drop "dynamite" on Velasco remains to be seen.

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