FORMER Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has reaffirmed his mission to push for laws and programs that respond to the needs of Filipinos first before revenue generation should he make a comeback in the Senate in the May elections.

Cayetano said the Senate needs lawmakers whose principle is to invest in the people and “Honor God” in their every decision.

“Kasi kapag tama ang values, tama y’ung mga industriya, tama y’ung mga patakaran, tama y’ung mga programa, y’ung sinasabing safe and comfortable life babalik ‘yan,” Cayetano said.

The veteran lawmaker expressed concern over recent laws being passed and accommodated in Congress that are focused on generating income, such as the granting of 25-year franchise to online sabong operators as well as the Vape Bill.

“Kasi ang nangyayari, ‘pag inuna mo ang pera – not just corruption, basta’t pera – mali ang nagiging desisyon,” he said.

“Even sa House y’un po ang sinabi ko sa ating team na nagpapatakbo sa mga chairman: ‘wag nating unahin y’ung pera; ang unahin natin ano’ng kailangan,” the former Speaker added.

Cayetano, who is gunning for a Senate comeback on a faith-based and values-oriented agenda, said while there are a lot of factors when it comes to progress, it is acting on a “tamang prinsipyo” and “honoring God” – regardless of religion – that worked for the highly urbanized City of Taguig.

“Pinagbawal namin lahat ng sugal, wala kaming sabungan, wala kaming casino, wala kaming bingo, et cetera. Nakiusap kami sa mga kababayan, ‘work hard tayo, aral.’ By the time she (former Mayor Lani Cayetano) left, P10 billion na y’ung collection [ng Taguig], walang utang,” he said.

The City Government of Taguig under the Cayetanos refused gambling establishments and instead created a business-friendly environment by removing red tape and entering into favorable public-private partnerships.

The City Government also directed its efforts to perfecting its social services, such as free high-quality education and health care, among others.

Cayetano believes this can also be done in the rest of the country.

“Kapag tama ang values at prinsipyo ng isang bansa, sigurado ang pag-unlad,” he said.

Cayetano also appealed to the voting public to choose candidates who do not only claim they will do good but are also “willing to prevent evil.”

“Iniisip n’ung iba kahit sinong pulitiko nandyan wala ring mangyayari, ‘Kahit sino kayong nandyan parating may corruption,’ et cetera. That’s not true. Y’ung iboto mo, ke kapitan ‘yan, ke konsehal, ke presidente, it matters. It can change our lives,” he said.