Former House Speaker and Taguig-Pateros 1st District Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano says that he is running for senate independently so that he can be more critical of presidential candidates in the upcoming 2022 elections.
“Pag tumakbo kasi tayong independent, pwede pong purihin ang magagandang programa ng kahit sinong partido, kahit sinong kandidato, pero pwede rin akong magsalita laban sa kanila kung mali ang stand nila sa mga isyu na 'yan (If we run independently, we can praise the good programs of any party or candidate. We can also speak out and criticize them when they make a wrong stand on important issues),” said Cayetano in a press interview on Wednesday, Feb. 16.
Caytetano says that it is necessary to be critical of candidates and look beyond political party-lists as recovery should be the top priority of the next administration.
“Sa panahon na ito, sa tingin ko, tulong-tulong ang kailangan. Napakahirap ng recovery sa next administration (During these times, we need cooperation. Recovery will be the greatest challenge for the next administration). We will need people who will be truly independent and speak out for the people,” Cayetano said.
Kahit sinong manalo, dahil sa pandemic at dahil sa lahat ng recovery na kailangan, talagang all hands on deck. It’s one of those elections na kahit manalo ka, hindi ganun kadali ang trabaho (Whoever wins, it will be all hands on deck because of the pandemic recovery. It is one of those elections where even after you win, you will have to work very hard),” he added.
Furthermore, Cayetano urged for more forums and debates for presidential candidates, specifically radio-based forums, so as to better reach and inform the voting public of candidates’ platforms.
“I’d really like to have more forums. Lalo po sa radio, abot y’un sa ba sulok ng ating bansa. Kasi napakaimportante na marinig talaga y’ung plataporma. Hindi lang y’ung makita y’ung kandidato, hindi lang y’ung ma-entertain, pero y’ung marinig talaga paano niya gagawin y’ung mga pinapangako niya (Especially radio because it reaches every corner of our country. It’s important that we we hear candidates’ platforms and how they will fulfill their promises instead of seeing only their campaign theatrics),” explained Cayetano.
He also added that he would be open to working with any presidential candidate, citing his political track record which he says speaks for itself when it comes to collaborating with other public officials.
Cayetano, who ran a failed vice presidential bid in the 2016 elections alongside President Rodrigo Duterte, is independently running for a senatorial seat in the 2022 elections.