A true ally

THE budget impasse in Congress that delayed by three months the transmittal to Malacanang of the 2019 General Appropriations Bill underscores the need for President Duterte to have steadfast allies in the legislative branch.

Following last year’s leadership changes in both chambers of Congress, the pace of the budget deliberations changed.

For the first time since President Duterte assumed office, the Legislative branch failed to approve the 2019 budget bill on time.

This set off a series of delays and acrimonious exchanges of allegations between the Upper and Lower chambers of Congress. The impasse forced government to slash growth targets and put off vital infrastructure projects.

As President Duterte enters the last half of his presidency, he needs people he can trust in Congress; allies of unquestionable loyalty.

In the next Congress, where tax reforms and budget bills emanate, the speakership of the House is crucial to the success of Duterte’s legislative agenda.

The President needs a speaker who has an impressive track record, proven leadership skills, and a huge dose of diplomatic savvy.

Former Senator and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano is a cut above the rest. He started his career as a lawmaker, was Taguig’s youngest councilor at age 21, a vice mayor, threeterm congressman, a member of the Judicial and Bar Council, former majority leader in the Senate, and former cabinet secretary.

Cayetano was Duterte’s vice-presidential running mate in the 2016 elections and was among advisers who supported him to make the crucial decision to aim for the presidency.

Long before that, Cayetano was already in his Tatay Digong’s small, tight circle of trusted buddies that includes Bong Go, Sonny Dominguez, Bingbong Medialdea, and Ben Diokno.

Not once has Cayetano asked the President to do him any favors, even during the fight for the Senate presidency in 2016. This is the mark of a true ally.

The choice for speaker should be a no-brainer. His track record, loyalty, and the gravitas needed to command the respect of a diverse and unwieldy group of lawmakers make Cayetano the clear and only choice.