Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday defended his heavy reliance on digital platforms, questioning why fellow lawmakers criticize his online activities while maintaining their own active social media accounts.
Speaking during a live broadcast on his official account just a day after being ousted from the Senate presidency, Cayetano accused his colleagues of double standards for attacking his digital presence.
“Bakit kayo galit na galit kapag nagfe-Facebook ako ang hilig ninyo rin mag-Facebook?” the former Senate leader asked.
Cayetano explicitly named Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Raffy Tulfo, and Erwin Tulfo, pointing out that they regularly publish edited highlights of Senate sessions and committee hearings on their personal pages.
“Sasabihin ninyo, ‘Hindi kasi mas maraming nanonood kay Alan Cayetano,’ kasi nagsasabi ako ng totoo. Hindi naman parati mas maraming nanonood sa akin,” he said.
The senator suggested that the backlash against him actually stems from damaging information exposed through his online broadcasts.
“(Ang) problema (ay) nabuko kayo na may itinatago kayo, hindi ba?” he added.
The remarks follow a Senate hearing in Mandaluyong City investigating controversial flood control projects.
During the inquiry on Tuesday, a group of former security personnel linked to former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co accused Senator Erwin Tulfo of receiving cash payouts.
The whistleblowers, dubbed the “maleta boys,” claimed they delivered six suitcases filled with cash directly to Erwin Tulfo’s San Juan City home. Senator Erwin Tulfo has vehemently denied the allegations.
Cayetano maintained that digital platforms are now vital tools for public servants, serving as a necessary companion to traditional news outlets.
“Everyone is aware that it’s not only mainstream (na) mayroon ding social media,” he said.
Throughout his brief 23-day tenure as Senate president, Cayetano hosted at least 20 Facebook livestreams in an effort to interface directly with the public.