Cayetano hits Marcos, Aquino dynasties in batting for change

Vice presidential candidate Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on Sunday said it's time for change because political dynasties such as Marcos, Aquino, and Cojuangco have ruled for long.

“Limampung taon na po, 50 years na po, panay na lang Marcos, Cojuangco at Aquino. Wala na bang iba?  Cayetano said during his opening statement in the vice presidencial leg of the PiliPinas Debates 2016 at the University of Santo Tomas.

A member of one of those dynasties, Sen. Bongbong Marcos, who is also running for vice president, was also present during the debate.

This was Cayetano's reply to the moderators' question about what would define their leadership if they are elected Vice President in the May 2016 polls.

Cayetano cited a biblical quote about how no one can serve two masters, saying in public service, no one can also serve the interests both of the public and the rich few.

"No one can serve two masters. You will love one and hate the other. You cannot serve God and money. Yan po ang nasa 6:24. Ganyan din po sa public service. Kailangan po natin mamili: Interes ng lahat ng mamamayan o interes ng ilang mayayaman," Cayetano said.

"Ang politika po parati na lang po tungkol sa pulitiko. Pero ang eleksyon po is about you. Kayo po ang dapat sentro ng eleksyon," he added.

Cayetano also cited victims of natural calamities, especially as the country is visited by several devastating typhoons every year.

"Yung mga tinamaan ng kalamidad, sa pamamahala po ng Duterte-Cayetano, sa awa ng Diyos, ipaglalaban po namin kayo," he said, referring to his running mate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

His fellow senator, Chiz Escudero, vice presidential candidate and running mate of Sen. Grace Poe, also cited victims of calamities. "Ang kahirapan po walang pinipiling partido. Ang pangangailangan walang pinipiling gulay. Ang kalamidad wala itong pinipili," Escudero said.

Escudero promised a leadership that is fair to all, regardless of political affilitation, saying "walang pinipili ang serbisyo, pantay at pareho."

"Maski na ating bandila, hindi lang naman dilaw ang kulay. Meron ding asul, meron ding pula, meron ding puti. Ang pinili naming kulay ni Sen. Grace (Poe) puti dahil ayaw namin lagyan ng kulay politika ang paninilbihan na nais naming ibigay sa ating mga kababayan. Dapat pantay, dapat parehas. Dapat walang pinipili," he added.

Meanwhile, Sen. Gringo Honasan also said he will also seek to be a fair VP, not swayed by politicking.

"I will bring to the vice presidency the the courage of my convictions and the audacity to act and make things happen," Honasan said.

I've been a soldier for 17 years, rebel for seven years, and a senator of the Republic for 18 years. I will work and continue to work for unity, peace, and prosperity and security," he said.

"I look to harmony in our families, cooperation in our communities, order in the state, inclusive progress for our nation, and security in our shores," he added.

"I will help anybody, anyone who will build for the future of our most precious God-given resource: Our next generation of citizens, and leaders, our children," Honasan said. — NB/RSJ, GMA News