SENATE Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday said his bloc will continue its push for nation-building and anti-corruption reforms despite its transfer to the minority following the recent Senate leadership reshuffle.
In a Facebook Live on June 18, Cayetano defended his group’s work during his tenure as Senate president, rejecting claims that his camp had been inactive or ineffective.
“Yung sinasabi nilang hindi nagtrabaho, walang katotohanan [iyon], panay kasinungalingan. Never naman tayo tumigil sa pagtatrabaho. Ang kwestyon, ano’ng trinatrabaho natin? [Iyon ay] nation building,” Cayetano said.
He framed the leadership changes in the Senate as part of a broader struggle over governance priorities, particularly in addressing corruption in government projects.
Cayetano also said corruption has weighed heavily on the country’s economy and underscored the need to strengthen governance foundations.
“Our economy is suffering; we have to recover. Iyong flood control scandal, iyon siguro ang pinakamalaki [na corruption]. Pero napakarami pa na systematic corruption na hindi na pag-uusapan,” he said.
He added that while both Senate blocs share the goal of nation-building, they differ in approach and priorities.
“Don’t take it away from us. Yung amin pong grupo wants to build a nation. Good faith tayo. Meron kayong vision of a nation you want to build. Meron kaming vision nung gusto natin i-build,” he said.
Cayetano stressed that nation-building must rest on strong institutions anchored in law and accountability.
“Saan natin [pwedeng] umpisahan yung nation building? Sa pundasyon [at] rule of law. ‘Di ba? Regime of justice and truth,” he said.
He urged the public to stay engaged amid political tensions and allegations of corruption.
“It’s time for real change. Mga kababayan, huwag po tayong susuko. Let’s all do our best and let’s keep praying… let us build this nation that we love and let us serve the God that we love,” he said.
