Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano called on all Filipinos to work together on “more important things” beyond politics as Congress deliberates on the country’s national budget for next year.
Speaking in a Facebook livestream, Cayetano stressed the need to refocus the country’s attention to the problems that directly affect Filipino families, particularly education, agriculture, and the struggles of small businesses.
“These are the issues that deserve our attention and concerted effort,” he said.
He urged everyone, from ordinary citizens to fellow leaders, to do their part in solving the country’s problems, starting with a change in priorities and anchoring their moral standards in God.
“Ang pinakamalaking problema sa mata ni Senator Lacson, si Alan Cayetano. [Pero] si Alan Cayetano po, hindi si Panfilo Lacson ang pinakamalaki kong problema. Ang pinakamalaki po nating problema is [how to] seek God’s kingdom and righteousness. Kasi sa kingdom ng Panginoon, wala pong corruption, illegal drugs, crime, wala pong unkindness,” he said.
Cayetano compared society to a puzzle in which every person has a role. “‘Pag isa po sa atin ay hindi ginawa ang kanyang purpose, para po iyong puzzle na kulang,” he said.
On education, he called for the restoration of full-day classes, warning that shortened school days leave public school students at a disadvantage.
“Until we bring back the school na whole day, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., hindi tayo makakapag-compete sa Vietnam, Japan, Korea, at ibang mga bansa who give their children the full benefit ng pag-aaral. Sa private school po walang ganyang problema. So, ano po ang mangyayari niyan? Ang mayayaman, lalong yayaman. Ang mahirap, lalong hihirap,” he said.
On agriculture, he urged policymakers to find ways to make farming profitable, noting that farmers’ children are reluctant to enter a livelihood that offers little income.
“Mga anak nila (farmers) ayaw na sa agriculture because walang pera doon. So we have to find what it is in agriculture that can make it work, that can make it profitable,” he said.
He also voiced concern for drivers and small businesses struggling with fuel costs and weak demand, as well as for Filipinos who must leave their families to find work abroad.
Cayetano also affirmed his commitment to fairness and loyalty to Filipinos, whether in investigations or in shaping the national budget.
“Ang trabaho ng isang Kristiyanong leader is to fight evil and to promote what is good,” he said. “I’m not anti-admin, I’m not anti-US, I’m not anti-China. I am pro-Philippines,” he added.
Cayetano closed by reminding Filipinos to put their hope in God.
“Ang pag-asa, wala po sa tao ‘yan,” he said. “Yes, God raises leaders. But tandaan n’yo po, sa New Testament, ekklesia (the Greek word for church) is a group of people. They prayed. They humbled themselves. They asked the Lord Holy Spirit to touch them. Then they moved in unity,” he said.
The Senate began committee deliberations on the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, with plenary debates targeted for November and passage expected before year-end.