Cayetano can deal fatal blow to Duterte ambition

I HAVE greatly admired Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s tenacity and skill in fighting corruption. This was in full view in the Senate hearings on the alleged ill-gotten wealth of the Binays of Makati. I watched him in his fight against the Arroyos years earlier. It is a pity he is not doing well in his bid for the vice presidency in this year’s elections. Maybe there is some unintended good here, mysterious as it may be at this time.

If the surveys are to be believed, a Duterte presidency looms. It fills me with dread. Here is a guy who promises to eradicate crime in six months, apparently by extrajudicial killings, a guy who brooks no dissent from anyone and vows to shut down Congress if it ever tries to get in his way; a guy with a sense of entitlement that as mayor he should be the first in line to rape a helpless, beautiful woman; a guy who brags about his extramarital affairs and his readiness to kill people. Heaven forbid that he becomes the most powerful man in our country.

He projects himself as a poor, simple and incorruptible public servant. That veneer is no more and he has been exposed for who he really is: rapacious with money as he is with power.

This is Senator Cayetano’s moment. In his heart of hearts, he should know by now that Mayor Duterte is not that person he wants us to believe he is, but a lying bully and a dangerous man who, as president, will bring ruin and dishonor upon our country. I believe he is a clear danger to our democratic way of life and to those who are least able to defend themselves.

Senator Alan, more than anyone else, you can deal a fatal blow to the presidential ambition of Mayor Duterte. Withdraw your support for him, NOW. Even if this means giving up your own candidacy as well. This is a sacrifice worth taking because it will define you, your character and your political legacy. And the Filipino people will be grateful for this.

Ipanalo mo, Senator Alan, ang ating bayan. Sa tamang panahon, ako’y naniniwala, ipapanalo ka ng sambayanang Pilipino.

Mabuhay ka Senator Alan!
—MELITO M. RICAFRENTE, Marikina City