Cayetano Denies Posturing for 2022 Polls Amid SEA Games Fiasco

• PHISGOC chair Alan Peter Cayetano denied speculations that he is vying for higher office in 2022.
• He also reiterated that he is honoring his term-sharing agreement with Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco.
• This comes amid controversies hounding the 2019 SEA Games which concern his leadership and oversight skills in the sports event.

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) Chairman and House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano shrugged off speculations that he is vying for the 2022 polls following consecutive glitches in the sports event. 

 In a chance interview with reporters, Cayetano said that he does not want to speculate anymore whether someone is using the issue to threaten the speakership or his possible bid in the national polls, as he will not be vying for a high post in the first place. 

“The problems we’ve faced now are dalawa lang: fake news and logistical projects…so what’s the issue? Napaka-aga ng 2022, hindi naman ako tatakbo,” he told the media on the sidelines of an event in San Juan City Thursday. 

“They (critics) mistake hitting me and the SEA Games with politics and what hurts the country,” Cayetano added.  

Cayetano added that those who may still be vying for the post do not need to hold a coup d’etat to boot him out. 

“They don’t need to have a coup d’etat, they can come to me and say na ‘sir, mas gusto namin si Martin Romualdez.’ Eh kasundo ko naman si Martin Romualdez. Sabihin ko Martin, take over. After 15 months, sabihin naman ni [Allan] Velasco na he will take over, eh di take over,” he said. 

[Translation: They don’t need to have a coup d’etat, they can come to me and say, ‘sir, we want Martin Romualdez better.’ But I’m friends with Martin Romualdez. I can just tell him to take over. After 15 months, once Velasco says that he will take over, then take over.] 

Cayetano was referring to the term sharing deal previously brokered by President Rodrigo Duterte between him and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, a “15-21” formula, where he would sit for the first 15 months, and the latter will take over for the next 21 months. 

Martin Romualdez of Leyte 1^st District was initially included in the roster of Speaker-hopefuls before he was appointed Majority Leader.  

Cayetano himself reminded Velasco that he still honors his agreement with Velasco despite previously stating that he is open to serve a full term as the leader of the lower chamber. 

Meanwhile, Cayetano only left a short response to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s cryptic Instagram post that was addressed to lawmakers amid the SEA Games snafus. 

“I don’t have an Instagram,” he noted, days after Duterte-Carpio’s social media post. 

The mayor’s online remark dated November 24 read: “’I told you so’ is a sure-fire way to kick-start an argument. In the same way, ‘you do not listen’ will ignite a conversation into a heated one. May I just say to everyone in Congress, ‘I told you but you did not listen so there you go.’” 

Duterte-Carpio, together with Davao City 1^st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, had previously formed the “Duterte Coalition” to challenge Cayetano’s post before the latter managed to secure his victory.  –CNN Philippines