Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano has spoken out on the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged budget insertions and amendments involving nearly all senators, saying that the issue highlights worsening corruption and political confusion within the government.
During a press conference on Wednesday, October 8, Cayetano said that despite past efforts to fight corruption, irregularities continue to grow.
“Sa lahat ng laban ng korapsyon, one way or the other, since 1998 when I became a congressman, we contributed towards good,” Cayetano said.
“Ang problema, lalong lumala, e. No’ng nawala ‘yong pork barrel, lalong lumaki ngayon, ‘di ba?” he added, referring to the abolition of the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).
Cayetano also criticized what he described as inconsistent labeling of budget changes, pointing out that the same act is treated differently depending on who proposes it.
“Tapos ni hindi tayo magkaintindihan ngayon, e. Bakit kapag grupo nila ang naglagay, insertion ‘yon, ‘pag grupo n’yo, amendment ‘yon,” the senator said.
He went on to question why proposals by Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros are often called “amendments,” while those from other groups are labeled “insertions.”
“So bakit kapag si Risa, amendment ‘yan, hindi insertion. ‘Pag iba, insertion ‘yan. How can we have a national dialogue kung gano’n? But as far as feasibility and constitutionality, nasa constitution ‘yon[…]” Cayetano remarked.
The senator suggested that to address widespread dysfunction and corruption, the country may need to consider a drastic political move such as a “snap election” that would require all public officials to vacate their posts.
“One other alternative universe is mag-resign lahat. Kung hindi pa rin, what’s the next one? We have to come together, kailangan may vision [kung] paano [ito] ma-solve,” he said.
Cayetano concluded by warning that attention has been drawn away from other pressing corruption issues in government agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Customs, and even illegal gambling.
“So lahat ng ibang korap, sa BIR, sa Costums, sa online gaming, sa illegal gambling, you name it, nakakatago ngayon kasi lahat ng atensyon natin nasa flood-control[…]” he said.