Duterte camp: Time for unity, cooperation

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano is hopeful that all branches of government will be on “cooperation mode” once the administration of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte assumes office, even if some sectors do not agree with his decisions.

Cayetano, the runningmate of Duterte who lost to Liberal Party vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo, said people should unite now that the canvassing of votes in the presidential and vice presidential race has been completed. 

He also called on the public to trust the new president’s appointments and policies because he has reasons for making them.

“I know there are little bits of comments about his appointees. But the mayor is a strategic thinker and has a strategic mind. Let’s trust him and let’s support him,” Cayetano said yesterday.

“Sometimes, he does something that we don’t agree with 100 percent. We may not agree with his choice of appointees sometimes but let’s support and trust him,” he added.

On Robredo’s possible role in the new administration, Cayetano said he could not say whether Duterte would offer her a Cabinet post.

Robredo, the runningmate of administration presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II, earlier expressed readiness to work with whoever wins as president.

Cayetano believes Duterte would consider Robredo’s expertise in the event that he offers her a government position.

“I don’t look at the position itself like Cabinet or sub-Cabinet. What I heard is she wants to coordinate the pro-poor programs and remove anti-poor barriers,” he said.

“The transition team is functioning and Mayor Duterte is reviewing every day the names and positions. From day one, the roles to be given to the vice president-elect are being thought about and this will be tailored to what we heard from her during the campaign.”

Asked whether he thinks Robredo would be part of the Duterte Cabinet, Cayetano replied: “Only Mayor Duterte can say that. But based on his earlier statement, he said he would welcome and give positions to anyone who wants to work with him.

“Based on that, we hope that those from the Liberal Party at the Senate and Congress would cooperate. We are on cooperation mode right now,” he added.

Cayetano revealed the Duterte camp was supposed to set a meeting with Robredo last week. The meeting, however, was deferred because Duterte had to entertain several well-wishers.

“We thought it would be wiser if we do it once they are officially proclaimed. Probably I’ll just meet him today and maybe take that up (to determine) if both camps still want to meet,” he said.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, the president of PDP-Laban and a member of Duterte’s selection committee, said Robredo could get the post of Department of Social Welfare and Development secretary once the new administration assumes office on June 30. 

“It’s possible because it is consistent with her work with the laylayan ng (marginalized of) society. We will give this particular consideration,” Pimentel said.

‘Practical, effective, efficient’

Critics claim that Duterte is merely recycling officials from previous administrations despite his promise that he would introduce real change in the country. Some sectors are also wary of some of Duterte’s pronouncements on crime, fearing this could lead to human rights violations.

Cayetano, however, said Duterte would not change himself just to please other people.

“He is going to do it his way and in accordance with his identity,” he said.  

“For Mayor Duterte, the three key words are practical, effective and efficient. When we say effective and efficient, people do not need to wait and they can get results right away.”

Cayetano believes it’s about time that people move on from the divisive elections now that the canvassing of votes has been completed.

“If we really love our country, we need to have healing, we have to forgive and go to the next step, which is to implement the promises of the next president. That should reflect both in the Senate and House, in the local governments, in the executive and God willing even in independent bodies like the Supreme Court and the courts,” he said. – Marvin Sy