Plans to work with new DFA Sec. in pushing
for genuine reforms
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday (March
14) vowed to continue supporting the Duterte administration through whatever
means the President deems fit, be it in the Senate or in the Cabinet.
This is in reaction to President Rodrigo
Duterte’s recent statement that the senator may be needed in the Senate than in
the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Duterte earlier said he would offer
the DFA post to Cayetano after the one-year appointment ban gets lifted.
But whether or not he gets offered a cabinet
position, Cayetano pledged his assistance to the administration and said he
would continue to help the President, particularly in pushing for his
legislative agenda in Congress.
“Nothing has changed… Dedicated pa rin akong
maging successful ang administration na ito. Dedicated akong gawin ang trabaho
ko kung saan man ako,” Cayetano said.
“The preference of the President during the
campaign was for me to join him in the Cabinet. Now the need changes. May mga
legislation, may mga pinangako kami na gusto naming mapasa sa Senado,” he
added.
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| Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and U.S State Secretary Rex Tillerson |
The senator also expressed his full support
for newly appointed acting DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo.
Cayetano, who chairs the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations, said he would closely coordinate with the new DFA leadership
as they both push for more genuine reforms aimed at making Filipino’s lives
better.
“I was supportive before of Secretary
[Perfecto] Yasay, and now, [I support] acting Secretary Manalo… Si Sec. Manalo
ay professional. He’s been there for the longest time. Hindi pulitiko ‘yan na
mangangako nang hindi kaya. He knows the ins and outs of the problem,” he said.
Among the initiatives, which the senator
plans to endorse is the provision of better protection and care for Overseas
Filipino Workers (OFWs). He has been pushing for the creation of one-stop shops
that will cater to migrant workers’ needs, as well as additional funds to
provide legal assistance to Filipinos facing charges abroad.
“As I said, ang success ng ating Pangulo ay
success ng ating bansa. So I want the President to be successful,” Cayetano
said. “Ang aking misyon talaga ay matupad ang pangako ng ating Pangulo.” #
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