Led by former Speaker and Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, a new “independent majority bloc” has emerged in the House of Representatives “created to help the government on its Covid-19 response.”
At a news conference, Cayetano said his group called “BTS,” means two things: “Back to Service Congress” and “Bayanihan, Tapang, Serbisyo [cooperation, courage, service].” His group, he said, will hear people in different parts of the country and provide them with information on the Covid-19 vaccination program, anti-poverty and price control initiatives of the government.
“This is not one bloc. This is a number of blocs coming together… Whenever Congress drops the ball, we will be there to help carry the ball,” he said.
Cayetano is pushing for the creation of vaccine passports, or certificates, which are already being used in some countries, including Bahrain where Filipinos have been showing photos online.
“We also have to keep in mind that this is more than just a public health initiative. It is a key element in bringing back public confidence and reviving the economy,” Cayetano said.
For his part, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Ray Villafuerte said their group was created as the current leadership is preoccupied with political issues other than helping the government in the Covid-19 response.
But Cayetano stressed that, “This is not about any leadership position. We are happy where we are. But the people are not happy. Anything that they [the current leadership] do that will help the people, we will support it. We’re here to help.”
The new bloc, meanwhile, asked Speaker Lord Allan Velasco to probe the vaccination program of the Duterte administration.
Cayetano said the House, under the leadership, may had become too much focused on politics as evidenced by current moves to amend the Constitution, “but that’s an example of fair criticism.”
He said this is what prompted the seven lawmakers to form the new bloc, which he said is similar to the so-called Spice Boys in Congress who were openly critical of the administration of President Joseph Estrada.
“Because [the House] has turned to politics, it has gotten a little lazy, it is focusing on political issues, it has turned into traditional politics again. Instead of being the House of the People, it has turned into the House of Politics,” he added.
Meanwhile, Cayetano said the transformation of the House of Representatives from the “House of the People” to the “House of Politics” prompted him and six other lawmakers to form “BTS sa Congress”—a new group that aims to bring back service to the heart of legislators.
Cayetano admitted that using BTS was intended to “get people’s attention” since it is also the name of the South Korean boy band considered to be the biggest musical act in the world today.
The choice of BTS had received a backlash from fans—who call themselves the Army—who do not appreciate the boy band’s name being used by politicians.
Cayetano, however, said the group does not mean any offense to fans.
Besides Cayetano and Villafuerte, other members of the BTS are Rep. Michael Defensor of Anakalusugan, Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado of Bulacan, Rep. Raneo Abu of Batangas, Rep. Fredenil Castro of Capiz, and Rep. Danilo Ramon Fernandez of Laguna.