Former House Speaker and incumbent Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano urged presidential candidates to address issues relating to habit-forming activities like online gambling or e-sabong and e-cigarettes.
“I’ll be very honest with you, wala pa akong presidentiable na narinig na nagsabing ‘Masama ang e-sabong, kawawa ang tao, bilyon-bilyon ang nawawala (or) ‘pag ako naging presidente, isasara ko ‘yan’,” Cayetano said.
While agreeing on the stand of presidential candidates on various issues, Cayetano stressed the need to stop “evils” that are coming into the government.
“Candidates don’t want to speak like this [on e-sabong] kasi may makakalaban ka eh…but it’s not enough may plataporma tayo sa trabaho, sa health. What about the other evils of this world that’s coming into the government?” Cayetano said.
Cayetano, who plans to bring his faith-based, values-oriented leadership to the Senate, has been vocal against e-sabong, which he said is highly addictive and could lead to other social ills.
“Iba ang online talaga…’di niyo pwedeng sabihin na ‘wala kaming pakialam’… Others might not think it’s not a big issue as it is, but I believe it’s my duty to speak about it,” he stressed.
At the same time, Cayetano said he plans to remain an independent senatorial candidate.
“I’m happy being an independent because I can work with them, pero hindi ako nakatali na purihin sila. ‘Pag tingin ko mali, sasabihin ko talaga na mali ‘yung stand nila,” Cayetano added.
