Cayetano Dares Escudero to Debate on Duterte's Vow to Solve Crime, Drugs and Corruption

Office of the Senate Majority Leader

Alan Peter S. Cayetano

Rm. 603 GSIS Complex Senate of the Philippines Roxas Blvd Pasay City

         

PRESS RELEASE

5 April 2016

Cayetano dares Escudero to debate on Duterte's vow to solve crime, drugs and corruption in 6 months 

Vice Presidential bet Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano challenged fellow Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero to a one-on-one debate following a statement made by the latter that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte's six-month target to stamp out crime, drugs and corruption is not realistic. Cayetano said that whoever loses in the debate should withdraw.

“To those who lack political will, nothing is possible. But to those who have a clear vision for real change and the strength of character to do what is right, any goal can be accomplished,” Cayetano said as he defended their tandem’s anti-crime and -corruption agenda. 

In an interview, Escudero told reporters that Duterte could not possibly fulfill his pledge of ending crime and corruption in just six months. “It can’t be done. Not within his term... The problems are too serious and deeply rooted that these cannot be easily defeated,” Escudero said. 

Cayetano, however, stressed that Escudero’s cynical attitude is an illustration of his “lack of conviction” to end the country’s pressing problems. 

“With all due respect to Sen. Escudero, I’d like to reiterate what I said before. Failure is guaranteed for those who do not even want to try,” Cayetano noted. “It’s frustrating to see our fellow public servants lack the passion and optimism to change the country. All the while, they continue to offer the same solutions that failed miserably in the past,” he added. 

Cayetano said amid the criticisms, he and Duterte stand firm on their commitment to fight crime and corruption in their first few months in office. “It will not be easy, but Mayor Duterte and I are ready to do it. Through our bold solutions, in six months’ time, we can make our streets safe again and cleanse our government of corrupt officials,” he stressed. 

This was not the first time Cayetano defended their tandem's proposed policies against Escudero’s criticisms. Back in January, Escudero also expressed disapproval of Duterte’s call for federalism. He said it would not work well in the Philippine setup, a statement which Cayetano dubbed as a “classic Manila-centric” attitude. 

"The very essence of Federalism is to ensure that growth and prosperity are spread to every part of the Philippines, not just in Manila. It's a pity that Senators Poe and Escudero are against this. Kawawa naman ang ibang parte ng bansa kung sila ang mamumuno," Cayetano earlier said. #

Develop More Filipino Athletes!

 (The Philippine Star) 

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Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Philstar.com/File

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero yesterday asked the Philippine Sports Commission to revisit its grassroots development programs and create opportunities for homegrown athletes to achieve their Olympic dreams.

And with this, Escudero said, the PSC should help minimize the recruitment of Fil-foreign athletes by national sports associations (NSAs) seeking shortcuts to victory in international competitions.

Escudero said many sports associations have relied too much on Fil-foreign athletes, leaving their doors half-closed to homegrown athletes who strive hard to get noticed in PSC-organized Batang Pinoy, the Palarong Pambansa and other regional grassroots competitions.

“It will not be good for our homegrown athletes if these NSAs would continue to rely on the Fil-foreign athletes. This is the NSAs’ shortcut formula to success, tapping trained athletes who are ready to compete,” Escudero said.

Escudero said the PSC has enough years to develop local athletes for the 2019 SEA Games, which the Philippines would host after Brunei announced its withdrawal from the task last year.

“The PSC should pounce on the opportunity from this hosting chore,” Escudero said. “There is the Palarong Pambansa, the Batang Pinoy, and other national games organized by the other NSAs. We can still aspire for the overall SEAG crown with a sound program.”

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Escudero also noted the Philippines’s drive to an Olympic medal should also focus further than next year’s Rio de Janeiro Summer Games.

“If possible, we should prepare our athletes for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics from the Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa programs and we should refrain from relying on the Fil-foreign athletes. I am not against them, but we should create opportunities to the homegrown athletes and prove that our programs are really working,” Escudero said.

No Filipino athlete has won an Olympic medal since boxer Mansueto Velasco took home a silver from the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

The Philippines last won the overall championship when it hosted the Southeast Asian Games in 2005. It was downhill for the Filipino athletes in the regional meet since then.