Charles Teves
Former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano can’t catch a break from critics on social media.
During his press conference on Monday, Cayetano joked that if he got ousted from his position, his wife would have to spend 24 hours with him.
“I worry about my wife kasi I work in Congress I’m here 12-14 hours. ‘Pag matanggal ako she has to bear with me 24 hours,” he said.
Cayetano is the Representative of Taguig City–Pateros since 2019 while his wife Lani represents the legislative district of Taguig.
His joke was taken a little too seriously by netizens.
Uhm Congresswoman din asawa niyo hindi po ba? Weird nga na magkahiwalay kayo ng distrito nakatira eh lol https://t.co/W7Nw8NhztV
— Jules Guiang (@julesguiang) October 12, 2020
One netizen pointed out that Cayetano was under oath when he said that his wife lives separately from him because she represents a different area of Taguig City.
Wala bang magre-remind kay Alan na he once admitted under oath that he and his wife Lani live in different districts?
**My cancellation cases against the Cayetano couple are still undecided by Comelec for almost 2 years now.** https://t.co/Yu2PbntH73
— Emil (@13thFool) October 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/AltABSCBN/status/1315587627668721664?s=20
Besides di ba magkaiba ang bahay at district nyo mag asawa? So inaamin mo na rin sa wakas na sa iisang bubong talaga kayo in one same district! OMG what greed can do talaga! Sarili sarili sarili palagi!
— ElizeP (@elizepimentel) October 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/sadsingkamas/status/1315622607236993026?s=20
Pinagsasabi neto? Eh di ba magkahiwalay kayo ng bahay? Remember? Kaya kayo nakatakbo sa magkaibang district? Asawa mo pink, qaqu
— Mikkhael (@markymarksworld) October 12, 2020
Magkaiba nga layo ng tinitirhan di ba??? Kaya ibang distrito kayo ng Taguig?
Lelang mo panot— Ang Kuya Mong Bunso (@DareToPop) October 12, 2020
But you declared separate residences, remember?
— Read as: Batíbot (@btbtmagsaysay) October 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/PrincipeVel/status/1315548145032392705?s=20
When the couple was still running for Congress, there were questions on the legitimacy of the residences they declared on their respective certificate of candidacy (COC).
Petitioner Leonides Buac Jr. alleged that the condo unit Lani was living in did not belong to her, therefore she is not a resident of Taguig’s Second District.
But a document said that Lani “from January 31, 2007 to the present owns Unit 352-A, and not the spouses Cayetano.”
“Ang mahalaga, parehas na malinis ang pangalan, malinis ang hangarin, at gusto ng tunay na pagbabago,” he said.
He also told Karen Davila of ANC on November 22, 2018 that “I live with her,” and that the petitions about their residences are “pure political harassment.”
“When I was secretary of foreign affairs, my wife was mayor, my ate (older sister) was congresswoman, they didn’t say anything, but now that I’m running for Congress and Speaker, ay, suddenly, napakasama naming tao,” he added.
Cayetano resigned as House Speaker on Tuesday following the “illegal” and “fake” election of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco to take over the position.
The outgoing speaker went live on Facebook and announced his “irrevocable resignation.”
“We’re okay, we will continue to help but right now, verbally, I am tendering my irrevocable resignation as the Speaker of the House of the Republic of the Philippines,” Cayetano said.
He asked his fellow lawmakers to hold the elections at 3 pm or when the deliberations for the 2021 national budget is resumed.
“At 3 o’clock, elect your new Speaker and pass the budget… You can elect at 3 o’clock. Walang maneuvers, walang political tactics na mangyayari diyan,” he said.
He offered an apology to President Rodrigo Duterte for “misunderstanding” his desire of finishing the deliberations before stepping down from his position.
“Ang pagkakaalam ko talaga, I was to handle the budget and I was told until matapos ‘yung budget para walang disruption and I invited Congressman Velasco to join me,” Cayetano said.
“Mr. President, if I made a mistake, mali ang reading ko, misunderstood ko na gusto mong ituloy at tapusin ko ang budget, ako’y humihingi ng paumanhin. Hindi ko intention—never—na hindi ka sundin,” he added.
He then showed gratitude towards his “remaining friends” from different political parties and party-lists.
Various lawmakers nominated Velasco with 186 voting to have him lead Congress.
Velasco took his oath at the Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City, thanking his allies and the Duterte family whom he has a very close relationship with.
“This can only happen in the age of Duterte, when anything is possible for the benefit of the Filipino people.”
He requested that Cayetano step down as Speaker and honor their gentleman’s agreement, which the latter eventually did.
“With this compelling proof that has installed me as Speaker of the House, I would like to extend my hand to Speaker [Alan Peter] Cayetano and hope that he would be amenable to sit down with me as we comply with the agreement for a peaceful transition for the benefit of our members and the country.”
