A GROWING number of Senators expressed willingness to support the possibility of the present government to federalism.

In an interview with Senator-elect Alan Peter Cayetano, he admitted to discussing the issue of federalism with neophyte fellow Senator-elect Robin Padilla, whom he described as a leader with a “passion” for federalism and constitutional reforms.

“Kung meron naman po talagang yung passion po sa pederalismo at constitutional reforms, at yung pagtaas po ng presyo, yan po ay pagtulong-tulungan po namin sa Senado,” Cayetano said as he expressed willingness to “help” in possible reform in the government.

Padilla, who will reportedly have the Committee on Constitutional Amendment and Revision of Codes on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural, was “very vocal” in his position advocating a federal form of government.

For his part, Padilla lauded Cayetano “as a master in bringing people together and said that elected leaders should be loyal to the Filipino people and not to personalities.”

“Kung may heneral ang ranggo ng mga taong magaling makipag-kapwa-tao, wala pong iba yun kundi si Senator Alan Peter Cayetano,” Padilla said.

“Dapat po ang intensiyon natin lagi ay yung ikabubuti ng bayan, hindi po yung kung kanino tayo. Dapat yung mahalaga, yung loyalty at yung katapatan natin ay sa bayan,” Padilla was quoted as saying.

Cayetano, meanwhile, urged the Filipino people to unite, to support and pray for all government leaders as he spoke in a live video on his official page before the weekend.

“At sa sobrang taas ng presyo ng mga bilihin, sa sobrang dami ng mga problema, whether administrasyon o oposisyon, majority or minority, we all have to play a role in building our nation at magtulong-tulong,” he added.

“We all have to pray for the success of each other,” he said.

At the same time, Cayetano said he hopes President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will play the “role of elder statesman” after his term ends in light of the country’s challenges as it emerges from the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic amid an unsettled global geopolitical landscape.

“I hope the President will continue to be our elder statesman. Kailangan na kailangan pa rin natin si President Duterte kahit na wala na siyang posisyon,” he said.

Cayetano also pointed out the importance of a “constructive approach” to work ahead of him and his colleagues in the Senate, saying unity and cooperation can happen while pointing out areas of improvement in governance.

“Kung ano man ang role natin sa Senate, tulong-tulong tayong lahat. Simple lang ang rule natin: tulong-tulong, pero ang tama ay tama, at ang mali ay mali,” the former House Speaker said.

He expressed gratitude for those who helped him make a Senate comeback after an eventful three years in the Lower House. By Camille P. Balagtas