Former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday said he is hoping President Rodrigo Duterte will make the remaining eight weeks of his administration count by “doing more good” in the government.
In a media interview on May 7, 2022, Cayetano said he has encouraged the President to spend the “last two minutes” of his administration resolving “evils” in the country.
“Sinabi ko sa kanya I really I believe itong ‘last two minutes’ marami pa siyang kabutihang magagawa sa gobyerno,” the former Speaker said, recalling his conversation with Duterte who made a surprise appearance during a concert rally in Taguig City last May 1.
He cited the President’s order to stop all online sabong operations on May 3 as well as his careful review of the Vape Bill in accordance with the cautions made by the Department of Health, medical groups, and lawmakers such as Cayetano himself.
Cayetano also urged Duterte to continue serving the country after his term as elder statesman, similar to former President Fidel V. Ramos.
“We need elder statesman na magbibigay ng advice sa susunod na pangulo, at y’ung susuporta din sa gobyerno,” he said.
Cayetano was Duterte’s running-mate in the presidential and vice presidential elections in 2016.
Voting wisely
The former Speaker, meanwhile, appealed to the voting public to choose wisely in the general elections on May 9, 2022.
“Never, never nating isipin na isa lang ang boto natin [and] it’s not important. It’s always important,” he said.
He urged them to research about the political candidates through social media and public affairs shows, and fact-check the information they receive.
“Madali naman natin i-Google kung ano y’ung totoo at hindi, ano y’ung scientific, at ano y’ung factual. Minsan y’ung sarcasm lang [ay] mukhang totoo eh,” he stressed.
He also encouraged the public to pray “for divine guidance.”
“Diyos lang po may alam ng circumstances ng lahat – ng kandidato, ng bansa, who’s best for the country,” he said.
Nonetheless, he urged the Filipino people to support whoever wins, but “not blindly”.
“Kung tama ginagawa niya, suportahan; kung mali, magbigay ng alternatives,” he said.
Cayetano is currently gunning for a comeback in the Senate on a faith-based and values-oriented platform.
