Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday took his oath as Minority Floor Leader of the Commission on Appointments (CA) under the Independent Minority bloc today.
During the commission’s first plenary session in the 19th Congress, GP Partylist Rep. Jose Padiernos nominated Cayetano. Cayetano, who was a former House Speaker, opted to remain as an independent senator, along with his sister Sen. Pia Cayetano.
During the proceeding, Cayetano clarified that as an independent in the Senate, he is “part of the minority” in the upper chamber.
As such, Cayetano stressed he is qualified for the position of Minority Floor Leader in the CA.
After her quick manifestation, Cayetano also thanked Senator Risa Hontiveros, who is the Deputy Minority Leader in the Senate. He assured that he will continue working with her and other members closely in the committee.
“There’s so much work to be done, and I hope to be working with everyone. Not only with the minority, but also with the majority,” he said.
For his part, Hontiveros aired serious concern over the election of a CA minority leader who is not an original member of the minority in the Senate.
“I know Mr. Chairman that the Supreme Court has ruled that the Senate, we may freely make its determination of who belongs to the minority, but making determinations to assuage less-than-institutional considerations strikes at the very heart of democracy,” stressed Hontiveros.
“We cannot be part of the majority or independent or minority at different times for different goals,” she also pointed out.
Cayetano said it is important for bodies such as these to have clarity as to the positions of each members.
“This is important for lines of accountability and important to ensure that we have a genuine minority voice,” he added.
