The Silence and Scandals of the Cayetano Clan
By Frances Cruz
Long before the controversies surrounding the Cayetanos’ handling of the 2019 SEA Games, the Cayetano family had already left a legacy of alleged overreach, overspending, and political dominance. Their influence crosses through decades, beginning with the patriarch, Rene Cayetano, and branching out into a network of power that has gripped tightly on Taguig City and the national political stage.
Rene Cayetano, a lawyer and radio broadcaster well-known for his show Compañero y Compañera, was the first member of the Cayetanos’ political dynasty. He ran on a platform of public service and legal reforms and was elected senator in 1998 under the Lakas-NUCD party. The family’s political aspirations continued after Rene’s death in 2003, signaling the start of this family’s long overdue term.
His son Alan Peter Cayetano, at 27 years old, started his political career as a Taguig councilor in 1998, the same year Rene entered the Senate. The family’s strategic simultaneous presence in both the local and the national government was established at this period in time. Alan’s ascent to the position of congressman in 2001 sealed the family’s expanding power.
As if two were not enough, the oldest daughter, Pia Cayetano, followed in her father’s footsteps and became a senator in 2004. Pia advocated landmark laws including the Reproductive Health Law and the Expanded Maternity Leave Act, promoting causes like women’s rights and public health. Although these accomplishments may be blinding, the controversies and accusations surrounding the Cayetanos eclipse these supposedly redemptive acts.
The progressive branding for Pia Cayetano moved backward as she remained silent on some of the loudest issues under the Duterte administration such as the ABS-CBN shutdown where she withdrew her signature and refused to give comments. This refusal to push against attacks on press freedom signals that she has no spine to stand for the progress she claims to champion. Pia’s covert cooperation was equally as revealing as her brother, Alan Peter, who served as Duterte’s Foreign Affairs Secretary and then Speaker of the House in a more overt capacity. Moreover, despite growing evidence of corruption, human trafficking, and the detrimental effects of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) on local communities, she remained unconvinced when the government permitted their expansion. There were no words needed as time ultimately became a truth teller as at present, Pia Cayetano is the principal author of POGO Law, RA 11590, and her co-author was no other than Imee Marcos.
Pia’s silence was calculated, not merely a choice. Her failure to oppose Duterte’s polarizing policies speaks volumes, whether it is due to loyalty, self-preservation, or political calculation. Her inaction shows where she really stands, regardless of how progressive she may appear on paper.
The Cayetanos ensured to have a tight grasp on the country’s neck by growing their influence not only in the national scene but also in the local government of Taguig City. Before being elected mayor in 2010, Alan’s wife, Lani Cayetano, began her political career in 2007 as a representative for Taguig’s 1st District. Through Lani or other supporters, the Cayetanos continued to hold control over Taguig’s leadership thereafter. Accusations of nepotism and political dynasty-building have resulted from this domination.
The family’s hold on Taguig paralleled the city’s rapid development, especially in the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) region which shunts its tall buildings, modern establishments, and clean sidewalks. The beaming shine of these modern luxuries cannot blind the truth of how this city snobs the scarcities in society, further highlighting the class divide. If anything, the walkable streets only lead to one reality: it is only beautiful to those who live in opulence. This striking disparity draws attention to Taguig’s socio-economic division. Other parts of Taguig still grapple with issues like poor infrastructure and restricted access to basic social services, even if BGC prospers as a business center. Critics contend that by emphasizing the development of affluent neighborhoods like BGC, the Philippines’ poverty and marginalization are hidden and the hardships of underprivileged people are obscured.
The Cayetanos received heavy scrutiny as Alan sat as the chairperson of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) in 2019. Although the games received praise for their execution, they were enmeshed in controversy due to claims of corruption, poor management, and excessive cost. Among the main concerns include the P50 million cauldron’s construction, which was deemed an unnecessary expenditure in a nation beleaguered by inequality and poverty. There have also been reports of logistical issues and delayed athlete accommodations. Concerns over the use of billions of pesos in public monies were raised after the Commission on Audit (COA) discovered anomalies in contracts connected to the SEA Games.
There have also been accusations of financial irregularities despite the Cayetanos’ supremacy. The 2020 national budget came under fire during Alan’s time as Speaker of the House due to suspected “pork barrel” allocations and suspicious infrastructure projects directed to districts under the Cayetano empire. Taguig and the surrounding areas disproportionately benefited from these allocations, enhancing their financial and political domination.
However, criticisms of the Cayetanos’ endemic corruption did not only revolve around money and monetary matters but also abuse of authority.
The Cayetanos’ political presence in Taguig has been emphasized by the long-running jurisdictional conflict between Makati and Taguig over Bonifacio Global City. After ruling in its favor, the Supreme Court gave Taguig sovereignty over the affluent business zone in 2023. However, critics point that the political power of the Cayetanos may have influenced development objectives and court decisions, favoring the family’s political position at the expense of just governance.
The Cayetano family’s continued involvement in politics highlights more general concerns about Philippine political dynasties. Although they frequently emphasize their legislative successes, critics contend that these successes are obscured by a trend of power consolidation, putting personal benefit ahead of democracy, and weakening democratic values. The family’s political hegemony, especially in Taguig, has come under fire for limiting competition and sustaining a dynastic political cycle that obstructs significant reform.
