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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Is the Cayetano-led BTS 'band' losing a member?

Is the Cayetano-led BTS 'band' losing a member?

Published Jan 20, 2021 10:51 am

Is the Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano-led "BTS sa Congress" coalition losing a member? 

Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)

This question cropped up after Capiz 2nd District Fredenil Castro clarified Wednesday that he is not part of the Cayetano-led "BTS sa Congress" coalition.

"I am not. Neither have I given any statement nor met any media for an interview in connection with it," Castro,  a former deputy speaker, told the Manila Bulletin in a text message when asked to confirm his inclusion in the BTS coalition. 

Castro, a member of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), was not able to join the formal launch of the Cayetano-led coalition in Quezon City last week. 

Cayetano's groupmates all lost their plum posts in the Lower Chamber after Speaker Lord Allan  Velasco assumed the chamber's leadership last October.

Castro said his inclusion in the BTS caught him by surprise.

"A constituent in Capiz just advised me that I am a member of BTS. I don't even know what it is."

"Binibiro nga ako kung nasa concert ako at, sinagot ko ng "anong concert?." He answered me, "concert ng BTS." Nagtanong ako, "anong BTS?" Then he told me that it's a popular Korean pop group . Napatawa na lang ako na, I don't have time for them, (referring to BTS) telling him, it's for the teenagers!" (He was teasing me if I am in a concert and I responded,  "what concert? He answered me,  "concert of BTS." Then he told me that it's a popular Korean pop group. It made me laugh, I don't have time for them, (referring to BTS) telling him, it's for teenagers!"

The former House leader said he did not know who included him in the group, and he was not even informed about the formation of the BTS bloc. 

"I have not been informed about it but if I will be informed, I will have to see what is."

When asked if he is willing to be part of Cayetano's group, Castro said,  "I have to know first what it is, its objectives and composition, and other pertinent information like, whether I could be  of help to attain its purpose for the benefit of the country and our countrymen."

Last week,  Cayetano clarified that the coalition is not after the House Speakership and is formed to restore the image of the Lower Chamber, which has supposedly become the House of Politics rather than the House of the People. 

Joining Cayetano in the press conference last Thursday for the BTS launch were former deputy speakers Reps. LRay Villafuerte (Camarines Sur), Raneo Abu (Batangas), Dan Fernandez (Laguna); Public Accounts chairman Rep. Mike Defensor (Anakalusugan); and Good Government and Public Accountability chairman Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado.

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