TAGUM CITY — Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said he will build a “strong majority” to push and formulate the legislative agenda of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Bilang kasama niya araw-araw sa kampanya, ako po ang nakarinig ng mga pangako at mga nais na pagbabago ni President Duterte sa ating bansa (As his avid companion during the campaign, I heard all the promises that President Duterte wants to change in our country) ,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano said that by building a strong majority it will help Duterte realize his plans of creating real changes in the country. He also hinted that he eyes the Senate leadership.
“Everyone is interested in the Senate leadership. Wala pa akong nakitang senador na hindi interested maging Senate President (I have not seen any senator who are not interested to be the Senate President). However, it’s not really a matter of kung sinong magiging ( whoever will be the) Senate President,” he stressed.
He said that “it’s a matter of forming a strong majority that can deliver the culture the effectiveness and efficiency. Sa bigat ng legislative agenda ni President Duterte, kailangan ng majority na 15-18 (With Duterte’s legislative agenda, it should be a majority of 15-18).”
Cayetano, however, said that he is not inclined to help in building a majority if the discussions will be limited to who will head the chamber’s respective committees. “We should go beyond the committees and positions and discuss the important measures that should be passed by the Senate under President-elect Duterte.”
Among the key measures that Cayetano intends to push in the next Congress are the implementation of a nationwide curfew for minors and liquor ban, increasing the salaries of police officers, improved internet connectivity, and phasing out labor contractualization. They also plan to conduct consultations with regard to their federalism proposal by the middle of Duterte’s term.
Cayetano also explained that while Duterte has not publicly announced whom he would endorse for the Senate leadership, Duterte made it clear in private discussions whom he wants for the post.
“The President will not have an official candidate. Pero meron siyang napupusuan (But he has his own choice). President Duterte is not declaring public support because he respects the independence of the Senate,” he said.
Cayetano, Duterte’s vice-president in the May 9 polls, aspires the Senate leadership. Apart from him, both Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III and Sen. Vicente Sotto III have also publicly announced that they too seek the Senate presidency. (davaotoday.com)
