Cayetano not running for president in Eleksyon 2022

Taguig Representative and former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday said  he would not run for president in the 2022 national elections.

"Hindi po tayo tatakbo bilang Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas ngayong 2022 so that po maging open din ‘yung lines ko," Cayetano said in a radio interview.

(I will not run as president of the Republic of the Philippines this 2022 so that I could keep my lines open.)

He earlier said he was considering seeking the presidency, citing the proliferation of online casinos and cockfights.

"Parang wala akong naririnig samantalang ito can really create a generation of zombies na panay sugal na lang imbes na trabaho. Sa diwang y’un, I’m really considering running for president," Cayetano said early last month. 

(I have not heard anyone talk about this when this can create a generation of zombies who can only gamble and not work. In that sense, I am really considering running for president.) 

But in the radio interview, Cayetano said he feels he could only cause division if he will push through in seeking the presidency.

"I really feel na kung ako man ay tatakbong pangulo mas makakadivide ito kaysa sa makakapag-bring together," Cayetano said.

(I really feel that if I run for president, I could cause more division than unity.)

Cayetano said he would just help in crafting the five-year plan for the country's recovery following the pandemic and that he would push for the P10,000 assistance for those affected by the health crisis. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News