Cayetano vows to help ensure victory for admin senatorial bets

MANILA, Philippines — Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday said his focus is to help President Rodrigo Duterte ensure the victory of the administration’s senatorial bets and not the shortlist for House Speakership.

“Pangako ko nga sa kanya [President Rodrigo Duterte] nung September 2015 na yung buong six years niya, tututok ako sa kung ano ang kailangan niya,” Cayetano told reporters at the sidelines of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) campaign event in Pateros, Manila on Thursday.

(I promised the President in September 2015 that during his six years in office, I will focus on his needs.)

“Kung susundin natin ang pangulo ang instructions niya ay focus muna tayo na manalo ang lahat ng ating kandidato (If we follow the president’s instructions, we will just focus on ensuring victory for all our candidates),” he said.

“I am not concerned of any endorsement for Speakership because I’m secured,” he added.

PDP-Laban revealed on Wednesday its shortlist of lawmakers being considered for the House Speakership, which included ousted Speaker Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez and Marinduque Rep. Allan Lord Velasco.

READ: PDP-Laban confident of regaining House Speakership

PDP-Laban’s other bets for the House Speakership are Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, San Juan Rep. Ronald Zamora, Cavite Reps. Alex Advincula and Bambol Tolentino, Malabon Rep. Ricky Sandoval, Pampanga Rep. Dong Gonzales, Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres, and South Cotabato Rep. Dinanad Hernandez. /ee