Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano addressed criticisms regarding his recent family trip to Singapore, explaining during a social media livestream on Sunday, September 13, that the overseas journey was purely for personal rest.
The lawmaker arrived back at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Sunday alongside his siblings.
Addressing public doubts surrounding the travel, Cayetano maintained that there were no legal or administrative restrictions preventing him or his family from leaving the country.
“Private yun at gusto lang magpahinga,” Cayetano said.
He emphasized that relevant authorities, including representatives from the Bureau of Immigration and the Office of the Ombudsman, confirmed there were no travel impediments against them.
Cayetano expressed surprise that a brief and routine vacation generated public controversy, attributing the backlash to what he described as an increasingly hostile political environment that quickly magnifies routine personal actions into public debates.
The scrutiny over the trip surfaced alongside renewed public attention to the controversial 2019 Southeast Asian Games cauldron project, as well as case studies submitted to the Ombudsman by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.
The documents detailed alleged structural irregularities in flood control infrastructure projects located in Taguig City, long considered the Cayetano family’s political stronghold.
Addressing what he characterized as persistent political attacks and fluctuating allegations from Lacson, Cayetano indicated he would leave the matter to higher judgment.
“Pinapaubaya ko na sa Panginoon,” he said.
Cayetano added that facing potential legal actions, formal inquiries, and changing accusations remains an inevitable part of serving in public office.