Cayetano defends Duterte, slams Poe-Escudero tandem

MANILA, Philippines - Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday slammed Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero for saying that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is just using the disqualification case of Grace Poe as an excuse to run, since he had long decided to seek the presidency.

“Klaro sa amin ni Mayor Duterte na hindi pwedeng tumakbong presidente ang isang hindi natural-born citizen. Tama po ba na ang isang nanumpa sa Amerika, babalik dito, gusto maging pangulo? Hindi pwedeng palampasin ito. Lalong hindi ito drama," Cayetano said in a statement.

"Kung gusto ninyo ng drama at pagkukunwari, nandyan ang Poe-Escudero. Kung gusto ninyo ng matapang na solusyon at mabilis na aksyon, nandito po ang Duterte-Cayetano. Basta kami, we will not cheapen the presidency," Cayetano added.

Cayetano also said Poe should answer directly the issues raised against her instead of hiding behind the back of Escudero.

“Hindi maaari na hindi marinig ang tinig niya lalo na kung gusto niyang maging presidente ng bansa. If this early she is already hiding behind a person, who at best is only muddling the issue lodged against her, what more if she becomes president?” Cayetano said in a statement.

Cayetano also defended Duterte against insinuations that the Davao City mayor may not be allowed to run as a substitute for Martin Diño - the standard-bearer of the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party - of which Duterte is a member.

“To those nitpicking at the legal issues surrounding Mayor Duterte’s planned candidacy, set your sights elsewhere. Aside from Mayor Duterte being a natural-born Filipino with a long track record of public service, there are no outstanding legal issues in his bid. Under the law, substitution is allowed. The filing of the PDP-Laban is valid,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano also said he is expecting a smear campaign to be launched against Duterte in the months leading to next year’s elections by “influential individuals and groups” who are afraid of Duterte’s inclusion in the race.

“We are certainly expecting it. May mga grupo na maraming pera gaya ng mga drug lords, smugglers at crime syndicates na balak magsama-sama para hadlangan ang tambalang Duterte-Cayetano sa gobyerno. Alam nilang liliit ang mundo nila. But I have faith that the people, who are sick and tired of crime and corruption, will support us all the way. Panahon na para sa matapang na solusyon at mabilis na aksyon. Takot na takot na sila. Parating na ang tunay na pagbabago," Cayetano said.