Cayetano: It starts with political will

Vice presidential candidate Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano at the INQ&A interview

It’s all about political will.

Vice Presidential candidate Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday said that “political will” is needed to end the decades-long problem of criminality and illegal drugs in the Philippines.

“It starts with political will. Second with experience,” Cayetano said during the INQ&A interview of INQUIRER.net

“There are plans, but who will have the political will to implement the plans?” the senator said.

He said other candidates were beholden by their vested interests.

“What I have realized  in my 20 years in politics is that, kung gusto mong gawin at walang haharang sa’yo, magagawa mo,” he said.

Cayetano and his running mate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte have repeatedly vowed to eradicate crimes, illegal drugs, and corruption within the first six months if elected into office.

READ: Cayetano: I will resign as VP if PH streets remain unsafe

“To many Filipino families, especially mga pamilya ng mga OFW, urgent concern ang peace and order,” he said.

Cayetano said solving crime is an “urgent matter and that all of us should have a plan.”

He slammed his other candidates running for national posts, saying they don’t have an anti-crime plan.

“Wala silang anti-crime plan, wala silang anti-corruption plan. They don’t have a time frame. They don’t have a target,” he said.

But how will the Duterte and Cayetano tandem eradicate criminality, illegal drugs, and corruption in six months?

“It’s not like building a train, or building a road that you need a year, two years, three years because it starts with political will,” he said.

The senator cited how Duterte stamped out criminality and illegal drugs in Davao City and wanted to replicate this across the Philippines.

He also cited how the Maharlika Village, a Muslim enclave in Taguig City, was turned into a peaceful place.

Asked if this was realistic, the senator said, “Yes.”

He warned criminals that they would suffer in jail if they violated the law, contrary to the luxurious conditions of some big time inmates inside the national penitentiary.

But Cayetano assured that their anti-criminality campaign will always be constitutional.

“I believe in human rights,” he said.

In previous interviews, Duterte has vowed to wipe out criminals by using the police and the military.

Despite criticisms that this could lead to martial law, the tough-talking local executive said he would not resort to such action. JE

READ: Duterte-Cayetano first 100 days: A period of cleansing

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