Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano. (INQUIRER.net file photo)
PILI, Camarines Sur, Philippines — Decentralizing the government would be the key in fighting corruption and preventing misuse of public funds, which apparently happened in the alleged anomalous deals with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, who is again running for senator, said on Sunday.
Cayetano was here to launch his advocacy project, “Sari-saring Pag asa” [A variety of hopes], for which he gave away P3,500 in cash aid to each of over 100 sari-sari [variety] store owners.
In an interview with local media, Cayetano said it would not be federalism that would bring development to the small towns but decentralization.
“We don’t need to federalize to bring development to every corner of the Philippines. We just need to decentralize. For example, [if] the project is in Bicol, the bidding must also be done in Bicol. It’s more transparent,” he said.
Decentralization is the delegation of some powers of the national government to local government units.
If he would be elected again to the Senate, Cayetano said he would push for “instititional reform for decentralization to happen.”
“That way, it’s easier to acount and compare the projects and deals,” he added.
Cayetano also said was eyeing five presidentiable debates each month leading to the elections.
“We have to know not just their stand but their plans on (how) they are going to address issues sorrounding our country,” he said.