Cayetano to Velasco, allies: Stop coming up with lies, black propaganda

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday urged Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and his allies to stop coming up with lies and black propaganda and instead be civil and unite the House of Representatives.

He said he is heeding the call of Presidential son and Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte to be “civil with each other” and “unite the House.”

“I am trying to do that, ‘di ba? But we can’t do that kung puro siraan ang mangyayari,” he said in a Facebook live.

(I am trying to do that, am I not? But we can’t do that if fighting would always take place.)

“So ang pakiusap ko lang sa Velasco camp, stop coming up with lies, stop with the black propaganda, let’s talk, let’s sit down, be part of the budget process,” Cayetano added.

(So my plea to Velasco camp: Stop coming up with lies, stop with the black propaganda, let’s talk, let’s sit down, be part of the budget process.)

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Salvador Leachon, a key ally of Velasco, earlier claimed that the Marinduque lawmaker had secured the backing of more than half of the 300-member chamber.

Cayetano once again challenged Velasco to show him that he indeed has the numbers to be elected at the helm of the House

“Come to my office, dala-dala yung listahan yung may pirmahan ka ng majority, i-check natin na hindi lang doble yung pumirma sayo at sa akin,” he said.

(Come to my office and bring along the list of signatures of the majority. Let’s check it and make sure no one signed twice for you or me.)

Cayetano said he and his allies have proven that they have the numbers. He even offered to resign but was rejected by lawmakers.

“Part of me, very honestly, was hoping that I’ve gained the respect [of congressmen] and they see [what I’m fighting for] and that the country needs a great budget,” he said.

“Part of me naman kung ayaw na nila sa akin sana mangyari na rin para makapag-focus naman ako dito sa Taguig-Pateros, sa aking pamilya at saka sa libo-libong sumuporta sa amin through the decades all around the country,” he added.

(If I fall from grace, I hope that day would happen so that I can focus my attention on Taguig-Pateros, my family and those supporting us through the decades all around the country.)   [ac]