Senator Alan Cayetano vows to pursue anti-corruption, nation-building agenda from minority bloc

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said their transfer to the minority would not stop his group from pursuing reforms aimed at nation-building and curbing corruption in government.

Cayetano pushed back against criticism that his bloc had failed to deliver results during his stint as Senate president, insisting that they remained active throughout their tenure.

“Yung sinasabi nilang hindi nagtrabaho, walang katotohanan [iyon], panay kasinungalingan. Never naman tayo tumigil sa pagtatrabaho. Ang kwestyon, ano’ng trinatrabaho natin? [Iyon ay] nation building,” Cayetano said.

According to the senator, the recent leadership changes in the Senate reflect deeper differences in governance priorities, particularly in tackling corruption. He argued that corruption continues to hamper economic recovery and pointed to alleged irregularities in flood control projects as a major concern.

“Our economy is suffering, we have to recover. Iyong flood control scandal, iyon siguro ang pinakamalaki [na corruption]. Pero napakarami pa na systematic corruption na hindi na pag-uusapan,” he said.

Cayetano said both the majority and minority camps aspire to build a better nation, though they differ in their methods and vision.

“Don't take it away from us. Yung amin pong grupo, want to build a nation. Good faith tayo. Meron kayong vision of a nation you want to build. Meron kaming vision nung gusto natin i-build,” he said.

He emphasized, “Saan natin [pwedeng] umpisahan y’ung nation building? Sa pundasyon [at] rule of law. ‘Di ba? Regime of justice and truth.”

Cayetano also called on Filipinos to remain engaged and hopeful despite ongoing political disputes and corruption allegations.