Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has admitted he will feel uncomfortable in running with former senator Jamby Madrigal under the Liberal Party’s (LP) 2013 senatorial slate, but expressed hope of improved relations with her.
“There is discomfort at the very least. But as I said, that’s the nature of the coalition. We’ll just have to make it more comfortable for each other,” Cayetano said after the official proclamation of the LP’s line up on Monday.
Cayetano and Madrigal had previously exchanged harsh words in the Senate. Cayetano once urged the Comelec to disqualify Madrigal who was running for President in the 2010 elections. Madrigal accused Cayetano of protecting his ally and then presidential candidate Senator Manuel Villar, whom she alleged was behind the controversial C5 road extension project that increased the land value of his real estate properties.
Villar, whose wife former Las Pinas representative Cynthia Villar is also in the LP slate, said in a seperate interview that there was no longer any ill-feelings between him and Madrigal.
Cayetano said “when there are sensitive issues between people, and then you are together in a fight, it can get uncomfortable.”
“If we are fighting for the same thing, there shouldn’t be any problems. It’s hypocrisy to say that at the very least, there won’t be any discomfort. But then it’s part of accepting the coalition,” he added.
When asked if he would work on improving their working relationship, Cayetano said, “We may be able to work on that as we see each other more often.”
“There are only two outcomes, either it improves or deteriorates. I’m hoping it’s improvement and not deterioration,” he added.
Cayetano stressed that what was important was the common vision and principles of the coalition that the individual promises to pursue in case they win in the elections.