Cayetano hits Escudero’s “Manila-centric” remarks

CEBU, Philippines - Senate majority leader and vice presidential candidate Alan Peter Cayetano has criticized Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero for his alleged “Manila-centric” attitude.

Cayetano reacted to Escudero’s statement that federalism, which presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is advocating, would not work well in the Philippines.

“Failure is guaranteed for those who do not even want to try,” Cayetano said.

Like Duterte, Cayetano believes that an inclusive growth can only be achieved if power and resources are equally distributed among all regions.

“It is clear that there are some people who just want to get votes and win but lack the passion and the vision to change the country. They offer the same solutions that have failed miserably in the past and will not go to great extents to create real changes that people want and need,” said Cayetano during a press conference in Cebu yesterday.

“This ‘Manila first, other regions later policy’ of Senator Escudero and his running mate, Senator Grace Poe, is actually the main cause for underdevelopment and the lack of jobs for our people in other parts of the country,” said Cayetano.

According to Cayetano, Escudero’s position on the matter is “understandable” because he used to chair the Senate Committee on Finance. He added that Escudero would naturally defend the national budget which allocates one-third of the country’s funds to Metro Manila while other regions only get two to four percent each.

Cayetano has long been urging government to fund more programs that will promote development among other regions in the country.

On the recent statement made by Senator Antonio Trillanes that it will be a disaster if Duterte gets elected, Cayetano agreed.

“Yes a Duterte presidency will be a disaster. It will be a disaster for drug lords, criminals and corrupt public officials,” he said.

Cayetano said that the only people who are afraid of a Duterte leadership are those who benefit from corruption and unabated criminality.

Cayetano belied Trillanes’ claims that Duterte does not have a comprehensive platform that he would implement if he wins the presidency.

“Maybe Senator Trillanes is not paying enough attention. Of all the presidential candidates, only Mayor Duterte has bold solutions to address crime, corruption and illegal drugs. He also has a comprehensive framework on how to spread development to the regions and alleviate the plight of the working people. This is what the Filipino people find inspiring in Mayor Duterte,” Cayetano said.  (FREEMAN)