DagupeÑos finally had the opportunity to hear opposition Congressman Alan Peter Cayetano of Taguig-Pateros say in person what they only read, hear and watch on national media.

Speaking Wednesday during the Barangay Night of the Dagupan City fiesta, Cayetano expressed his disgust over the determination of the Arroyo administration to push for charter change.

He said those pushing for ‘cha-cha’ at this time are obviously only thinking of their own selfish interest and greed for power and not the welfare of the Filipino people.

He clarified, however, that he has nothing personal against House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., the architect of the proposed charter change either by People’s Initiative or the Constituent Assembly, and pointed out that “there are many good people in the administration.” But the only problem with them he said is that they often blindly follow their leader, obviously referring to President Arroyo.

Cayetano said the reason President Arroyo continues to have a very low trust rating in all surveys is because questions about her legitimacy as head of the government still hang.

He echoed his position that President Arroyo should face the people and answers all questions relating to the legitimacy of her administration amid the charges of “lying, cheating, and stealing” and series of corruption leveled against her.

Cayetano also cited the case of former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn ‘Jocjoc’ Bolante regarding the fertilizer scam, who has evaded a formal investigation in the senate.

On the fertilizer scam, “it is my personal belief that Bolante could not have done it alone without the help of others,” he said, and maintained that case be investigated thoroughly in order to pin down the suspects, including their accomplices.

The outspoken congressman also wondered if the computerization of the coming election would actually prevent cheating, because he said traditional politicians today have acquired the expertise to cheat whether under the computerized system or the present manual counting, under the present Commission on Elections.

“Parang ginawa lang nating hi-tech yung dayaan. Sad to say, pero dito sa Pilipinas, racket na ang election,” Cayetano stressed.

The opposition congressman also expressed his support for a resolution in the House of Representative seeking to decriminalize libel in order to protect the freedom and rights of citizenry guaranteed by the Constitution.

Cayetano, facing a string of libel cases filed by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, is also facing expulsion charges filed by Mr. Arroyo, Congressmen Mikey and Iggy Arroyo, and the FG’s son, Dato.

“I am experiencing it (facing libel suit), so I understand the feelings of those who are in the same shoes,” said Cayetano who said that the libel suits filed against him and others in media by the First Gentleman are aimed merely at harassing the Arroyo government’s critics.

Reacting to Cayetano’s statements, “I am not endorsing him, but I just want to say bihira ang katulad niyang palaban,” said Mayor Benjamin Lim.

Cayetano urged barangay chairmen to unite in order to hasten the development of the city. -AQL

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