MANILA, Philippines – Senator Alan Peter Cayetano explained the apparent contradiction in his support for the anti-dynasty law and his being a member of a dynasty himself.
During the vice-presidential debate Sunday, April 11, Cayetano said he is in favor of passing the controversial law.
Cayetano himself belongs to a political dynasty. His sister Pia is a fellow senator, his wife Lani is the Taguig City mayor, his brother Lino is a congressman, his other brother Ren was a former Muntinlupa councilor, and his late father Renato a senator.
"I am for what the people want and I’ve always claimed that it’s not the dynasty that’s the problem but it is the corruption. Now, if there are more corrupt dynasties than good ones and people believe that this will cleanse [government]...I’ve never been afraid of radical solutions," he told reporters on Tuesday, April 11, in Taguig.
The anti-dynasty law, which would limit the number of persons in a single family who can run for government positions, has languished in Congress for nearly 3 decades.
Cayetano said he is fine with abiding by such a law if it passes.
"My wife is a better politician than me so kung isa lang sa amin ang puwede (so if only be one of us who can be in government), I will support her fully," he told reporters.
"So kung sasabihin ng gobyerno, sasabihin ng taumbayan, isa lang sa inyo ang puwedeng manilbihan, 'yun ang rules, we will follow the rules," he added. (So if the government, if the people say only one of us can serve, those are the rules, we will follow the rules.)
All 6 vice-presidential candidates said it is time to pass the anti-dynasty law during the debate held on April 10.
Aside from Cayetano, Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr and Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero belong to political dynasties.– Rappler.com