Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday called on lawmakers and the public not to lose focus on the everyday concerns of ordinary Filipinos amid the political tensions surrounding the Senate.

In a Facebook Live on May 15, Cayetano said that as the Senate prepares to carry out its constitutional duties, national leaders must remain focused on the “day-to-day” concerns affecting Filipino families, citing the country’s 7 percent inflation rate, fertilizer shortages, flooding, and job insecurity.

“People are really suffering because of the high prices, hindi lang ng diesel, LPG, gas,” he said.

“That is why we’re trying to put some order in terms of priority,” he added.

Cayetano also appealed for cooperation across political lines, saying disagreements over politics and leadership should not prevent the country from working toward a common direction.

“Napakaraming dahilan na hindi tayo magkaisa. But siguro naman we can agree on a common direction, a common destination,” he said.

“Why don’t we draw a roadmap kung paano tayo makakarating doon?” he added.

Addressing claims that the Senate had fallen into disorder, Cayetano maintained that the Upper Chamber remains orderly and productive despite the tensions surrounding the chamber.

“Look at our Plenary sessions since I took my oath. Lahat very orderly, puno ng substance, at sumusunod kami. Y’ung panggugulo ay nangyari after the session and was beyond our control,” he said.