Alan to Bongbong: It’s not about politics

Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

“THIS is not about the elections. This is about returning the people’s money.”

Vice presidential aspirant and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano issued this clarification after rival Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told him his tirades against the latter won’t work after last Sunday’s Vice Presidential Debate at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST).

During the debate, Cayetano zeroed in on the issues of corruption hounding Marcos, particularly the plunder allegations that the Marcos family faced during martial law and his fellow senator’s alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.

In an exclusive interview with the Inquirer on Monday, Cayetano narrated how Marcos approached him on stage after the debate and told him, “it won’t work,” mocking his attempt of pressing his rival on the record of his family’s ill-gotten wealth and torture accusations.

Cayetano said he never expected Marcos to say those words to him. But he remains unfazed by Marcos’ reaction.

“I will not relent in pursuing the truth behind his family’s ill-gotten wealth. Senator Marcos has to understand that this is not about the elections or politics. This is about returning the people’s money, money which he and his family used to enrich themselves and fund their return to power,” Cayetano stressed.

Cayetano clarified that what he did was not a political strategy. “I would have done the same thing to any official involved in a corruption anomaly, whether or not I am running for a position in government,” he said.