Duterte to Cayetano: When will your dynasty end?

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte took a jab at Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, asking when the Cayetano family’s political dynasty would end in Taguig City.

“Kailan kaya matapos ang dynasty ninyo?” Duterte asked the Cayetanos shortly after acknowledging the members of the Cayetano clan present during an event of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Taguig yesterday.

Duterte led last night the launching of 911 TESDA, a free web-based linking program or app that aims to provide employment opportunities for TESDA graduates and where TESDA services can be availed online by individuals, households and enterprises.

The House speaker was seated on stage while his wife, Rep. Lani Cayetano of the 2nd district, and Alan’s brother, Lino, who is city mayor, were seated in the crowd. Another sibling, Sen. Pia Cayetano, was absent from the event.  

Alan Peter, who won as Taguig’s first district representative, had just slugged it out in the race for the speakership where he won after courting the support of Duterte.  The siblings are children of the late senator Rene Cayetano.

Mayor Lino Cayetano, a showbiz director, merely smiled when the TV cameras focused on him while Duterte mentioned their family’s reign in Taguig.

Duterte was quick to say the same proposition can also be asked of his family since his three adult children with former wife Elizabeth Zimmerman are also holding key posts in their hometown in Davao City.

“Well you can ask the same question safely with me, yung mayor si Inday, the vice mayor si Baste,” he said. Sara is incumbent city mayor, while Sebastian is vice-mayor.

The President then uttered good words for Sebastian, who had gotten a haircut and now appeared to act more responsibly.

“Bilib na ako ngayon, may haircut na, at walang ginawa yun sa buhay niya kung di babae. Ngayon, he worries about the public interest and that is, I am grateful to God na…,” he said.

  Duterte vouched for his daughter’s integrity, while he also challenged congressman Paolo to be more circumspect in his political dealings. “Si Pulong hindi ko na nakikita. Papalit palit ng partido. Baka NPA na lang siya, mas mabuti pa,” he said.

While he cited the importance of TESDA in providing better jobs and opportunities and decent living for Filipinos, Duterte also noted how the agency contributes to the country’s overall growth as a nation.