Charles Teves
Cong. Alan Peter Cayetano is getting a lot of criticism from the public after he revealed that he wants to celebrate his birthday while still being the Speaker of the House.
This has caused a major problem because Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco also wants to celebrate his birthday as the new Speaker.
Cayetano said that during their meeting regarding the “15-21” term-sharing deal at the Malacañang, President Rodrigo Duterte kept on telling Velasco to allow Cayetano to serve as Speaker until December so any delay of the proposed P4.5-trillion budget in 2021 could be avoided.
The deal was forged last year, and Cayetano pointed out that two of the conditions include him passing two budgets and “magbi-birthday ako na ako ang Speaker.”
“Sabi nya, ‘birthday ko rin eh!’ Sabi ko, ‘50th birthday ko. Sentimental ako.’ Sabi ‘nya, ‘Ang babaw mo naman.’ ‘Ang babaw ko talaga!” said Cayetano, who turns 50 this October 28.
Netizens think Cayetano’s reason is petty and labeled him selfish.
Cayetano said he wanted to finish budget deliberations and pass it before he could turn-over the Speakership but hijacked yesterday’s floor deliberations and had it suspended today.
That’s how greedy he is. He will do anything and everything to stay in power at people’s expense.
— Ryan (@rryyyaaaannnn) October 1, 2020
Amputa speakership dahil birthday? Kung birthday mo humingi ka ng cake, gago! https://t.co/5uW2MUcGDM
— TINO (@yourcupoftino) October 1, 2020
Birthday Boy Cayetano reasons his Birthday in October to CLING longer to power is Emotional imbalance and Shameful character of a gentleman politician “Not Worthy of a Filipino Vote”for higher position in future.This could be the end of Cayetano’s political career.
— Water Reform Czar (@WaterReformCzar) September 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/ohkenooo/status/1311442979140190208?s=20
Cayetano saying that it’s not about him yet his speech is so dramatic, expressing how his 50th birthday is very sentimental to him.
🤦🏻♀️
— ‧₊˚✩ lei *.ﾟ⋆˖ ࣪ (@xoxosybil) September 30, 2020
Cayetano wants to remain House Speaker on his 50th birthday.
Tony Velasquez on Teleradyo: Ang babaw talaga! Kaya "MABABANG KAPULUNGAN!" 😅😅😅 LOL @KakanTuring
— Rod Magaru (@rodmagaru) October 1, 2020
Nakakaimpress ung pagdisplay of maturity ng dalawang very adorable toddlers. Advance happy birthday sa inyo mga kiddos!
Cayetano, Velasco insist on marking their birthdays as Speaker in term-sharing deal https://t.co/rteLpG7FWb
— divine 🎀🌷🌸🇵🇭 (@dtapec63) October 1, 2020
Andito na ang support cast ni Pdrama king! 🤡🤡🤡🤡 Tinalo pa ang kdrama o teleserye ng abs cbn sa plot twist at story line ni Sir Cayetano. Magbibirthday kasi, sentimental daw. 😅 Advance Happy Birthday po 🎂
— aj_santi (@akoajsanti) October 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/calambagets/status/1311254307073716225?s=20
Cayetano talambuhay sharing. Grabe ganito ba talaga sa congress? Bakit grabe magslander doon sa kaagaw sa speakership pati dapat daw speaker p rin siya sa 50th birthday niya pinagaawayan nila, tangina??? The bar is hell???
— Ralph | LF BINIVERSE TIX (@heyralphhey) September 30, 2020
Cayetano talambuhay sharing. Grabe ganito ba talaga sa congress? Bakit grabe magslander doon sa kaagaw sa speakership pati dapat daw speaker p rin siya sa 50th birthday niya pinagaawayan nila, tangina??? The bar is hell???
— Ralph | LF BINIVERSE TIX (@heyralphhey) September 30, 2020
In his speech on Wednesday, Cayetano announced that he was ready to resign as Speaker, but 184 lawmakers rejected his offer.
Velasco did not submit to Duterte’s request even after the president asked him to do so “3 or 4 times” during the meeting, Cayetano further revealed.
Duterte did make it clear to both parties that he wants the agreement to ultimately be honored. Duterte also mentioned that it is Cayetano’s job to announce his decision on the matter. Cayetano added that a definitive date is yet to be agreed on regarding the transfer of leadership.
But Velasco’s allies in the House said that October 14 is the actual date.
“But as usual, hindi marunong tumupad si Congressman Velasco” Cayetano said.
Duterte almost immediately said that he’d rather just “stay out” the term-sharing issue.
The PDP-Laban, of which Duterte is the chairman haven’t issued a statement yet.
