Instead of Cha-cha hearings, Cayetano says prioritize cash aid for families

MANILA, Philippines — Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday asked his fellow lawmakers to tackle his proposal to provide a new set of cash aid for Filipino families instead of prioritizing Charter change (Cha-cha) in the House of Representatives.

“Ten thousand pesos cash aid for Filipino families is feasible, this is easy to implement,” Cayetano said, in mixed Filipino and English at a press conference.

“Pag-usapan na natin ngayon kung pano magtulungan ang tao. If they want the bill, they can file today. Ang point ko lang the sooner we give P10,000 sa bulsa ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino, the better for our economy,” he added.

(Let’s talk about how to help people. If they want the bill, they can file today. My point is, the sooner we give the money for each family the better for our economy.)

“I think it’s not productive na Cha-cha pagusapan natin […] Pero ito na less than 1 million ayaw pagusapan dahil san kukuhanin ang pera?” the lawmaker further pointed out.

(I think it’s not productive if we discuss Cha-cha… but this, which is less than a million, they don’t want to discuss because where will the money come from?)

Cayetano also stressed that he is not against the Charter amendments but only the “timing” of it.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am and have always been for for economic provisions to take a second look at palitan ang iba, hindi ako anti-Cha-cha, yung timing po ang aking sinasabi,” he said.

(Don’t get me wrong, I am and have always been for for economic provisions to take a second look and make some changes. I’m not anti-Cha-cha; I’m just referring to its timing.)

Bulacan Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, former chair of House committee on good government and public accountability, agreed with Cayetano. He said cash aid must be prioritized before the ABS-CBN franchise renewal.

“Unahin muna, yung mga ayuda bago po kung anong usapan bago ang Cha-cha, bago ang ABS-CBN hearing,” he said.

(Let’s put first cash aid before talks on Cha-cha and the ABS-CBN hearing.)

JE