Cayetano seeks national consensus on economic agenda beyond political divisions
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday called on political leaders to set aside their differences and forge a common economic agenda that would guide the country beyond the 2028 elections, proposing talks after the ASEAN Summit to build national consensus on economic priorities.
“Hindi ba pwedeng sabihing may five-point or three-point or seven-point economic agenda tayo, and regardless kung ano ang political [affiliation] natin, we’ll do this? Because everyone is claiming in government that this is for the people and most of our people are poor,” the Minority Leader said in a Facebook broadcast on November 13.
“Kailangan ng national consensus. Hindi pwedeng gantihan na lang sa politika at sabihin nating, ‘Hindi bale na, sa 2028 mas marami tayo,’” he added.
Cayetano warned that a change in political leadership would not automatically solve the country’s economic problems, particularly as economic activity slows and inflation continues to weigh on households.
Drawing from his experience as former Foreign Affairs Secretary, he said political leaders could learn from how countries manage their differences while maintaining working relationships.
The same approach, he said, should apply to political parties when dealing with issues that affect the entire country.
“In governance, especially when you’re talking about the whole nation and the economy, it’s [all about] managing your differences,” Cayetano said.
“[It’s the] same thing sa politika. Magkakagalit man ang mga politiko natin, ang mga partido, the reality is, one team lang po tayo sa ating bansa,” he added.
Cayetano urged fellow leaders and stakeholders to take the ASEAN Summit as an opportunity to start building consensus on the country’s economic direction after the Philippines hosts the ASEAN Summit.
He proposed focusing on “presyo, trabaho, kita, kaayusan, and kalusugan,” saying these were the issues Filipinos raised most often in conversations with him across the country.
“What’s the starting point? Usap. There can be a convention, not just a LEDAC. Then baka pwede maglatag ng four-point, five-point, seven-point economic program to show the rest of the world na [kahit] medyo magulo dito, we mean business,” Cayetano said.
The Minority Leader said a unified economic program would send a strong signal to foreign investors and the international community that the country remains committed to economic growth despite political disagreements at home.
“Grabe potential natin. Ang problema nga, we can’t get our acts together. So rather than be negative, positive vibes tayo during the ASEAN [week] and let’s tell each other na, ‘Kaya natin ‘to,’” he emphasized.
Cayetano added that achieving national unity would require leaders to begin with themselves and acknowledge their shortcomings.
“This should be a period of unity. We have to change the way we think and it has to start with us,” he said.
Filipino Version
Cayetano nanawagan ng national consensus sa economic agenda ng bansa
Nanawagan si Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano sa mga pinuno ng bansa nitong Biyernes na isantabi ang kanilang pagkakaiba sa pulitika at bumuo ng national consensus o pagkakasundo sa iisang economic agenda na magpapatuloy anuman ang maging resulta ng 2028 elections.
Iminungkahi ni Cayetano na simulan ang pag-uusap tungkol dito pagkatapos ng ASEAN Summit, para magkasundo ang mga pinuno ng bansa sa mga prayoridad pang-ekonomiya na dapat tutukan ng pamahalaan.
“Hindi ba pwedeng sabihing may five-point or three-point or seven-point economic agenda tayo, and regardless kung ano ang political [affiliation] natin, we’ll do this? Because everyone is claiming in government that this is for the people and most of our people are poor,” wika ni Cayetano sa kanyang Facebook broadcast nitong November 13.
“Kailangan ng national consensus. Hindi pwedeng gantihan na lang sa politika at sabihin nating, ‘Hindi bale na, sa 2028 mas marami tayo,’” dagdag niya.
Diin ni Cayetano, hindi awtomatikong malulutas ng pagpapalit ng mga pinuno ang mga suliraning pang-ekonomiya ng bansa, lalo na sa gitna ng paghina ng economic activity at patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin.
Bilang dating kalihim ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), iginiit niyang posible ang pagtutulungan at maayos na ugnayan sa kabila ng pagkakaiba-iba ng pananaw, gaya ng sa diplomasya.
Aniya, dapat pairalin ng mga partidong pulitikal ang ganitong pag-uugali lalo pagdating sa mga usaping buong bansa ang apektado.
“In governance, especially when you’re talking about the whole nation and the economy, it’s [all about] managing your differences,” pahayag ni Cayetano.
“[It’s the] same thing sa politika. Magkakagalit man ang mga politiko natin, ang mga partido, the reality is, one team lang po tayo sa ating bansa,” dagdag niya.
Hinimok ni Cayetano ang mga kapwa leader at iba pang sektor na gamitin ang ASEAN Summit bilang pagkakataon upang simulan ang pagbuo ng national consensus hinggil sa direksiyon ng ekonomiya ng bansa.
Dapat aniyang pagtuunan ng pansin ang “presyo, trabaho, kita, kaayusan, at kalusugan,” na ayon sa senador ay ang mga isyung pinakamadalas na binabanggit sa kaniya ng mga Pilipino tuwing bumibisita siya sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa.
“What’s the starting point? Usap. There can be a convention, not just a LEDAC. Then baka pwede maglatag ng four-point, five-point, seven-point economic program to show the rest of the world na [kahit] medyo magulo dito, we mean business,” sabi niya.
Sinabi ng senador na makapagpapadala ng positibong mensahe sa mga dayuhang mamumuhunan at sa international community ang pagkakaroon ng iisang programang pang-ekonomiya.
Ipapakita aniya nito na nananatiling determinado ang Pilipinas na palaguin ang ekonomiya sa kabila ng mga hindi pagkakasundo sa pulitika.
“Grabe potential natin. Ang problema nga, we can’t get our acts together. So rather than be negative, positive vibes tayo during the ASEAN [week] and let’s tell each other na, ‘Kaya natin ‘to,’” diin ni Cayetano.
Hinimok din niya ang mga kapwa pinuno na pangunahan ang pagkakaisa ng bansa sa pamamagitan ng pagkilala sa kani-kaniyang pagkukulang at pagbabago ng kanilang pananaw.
“This should be a period of unity. We have to change the way we think and it has to start with us,” pahayag ng senador.
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