MANILA, Philippines — Debates on morality and corruption erupted after Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano suggested that what matters most for Filipinos is repentance, drawing sharp rebukes from Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and the senator’s own brother, former Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano.
In a Facebook Live post last Sunday, Alan Peter Cayetano said Filipinos must recognize their collective guilt before seeking forgiveness.
“We are all sinners. But what is important is we repent, ask for forgiveness, and correct our ways,” the Senate minority leader said.
He added that moral renewal should begin with humility: “Kung hindi natin aaminin na lahat tayo ay nagkakamali, hindi tayo makakausad. Repentance is not weakness — it’s the start of change.”
But Lacson and Lino Cayetano countered that repentance without accountability only normalizes wrongdoing.
“I agree and associate myself with Taguig City ex-Mayor Lino Cayetano in this regard,” Lacson said on X, where he shared a quote card of the former mayor’s remarks.
The senator, long known for his anti-corruption stance, pointed to repeated abuses in public service. “I know government officials who committed sins by stealing public funds, repented, stole again and repented again a number of times. In the meantime, people suffer from their belief that absolution comes after repentance,” he said.
Lacson stressed that morality in governance cannot be reduced to words. “Repentance must be coupled with restitution. Otherwise, it becomes a cycle of stealing, saying sorry, and stealing again. That is not reform — that is impunity.”
Lino Cayetano was even more blunt, describing his brother’s words as the kind of rhetoric “from traditional politicians that spark anger.”
“It is not in Filipinos’ nature to steal, buy votes, or lie. Neither is the solution nor absolution found in mere repentance,” he said. “Let’s not normalize corruption. Let’s fight it!”
Alan Peter Cayetano, however, stood by his view, arguing that repentance paves the way for moral and political renewal. “We cannot fight corruption only with laws or punishments. We need a change of heart. Repentance means we admit our failures and commit to do better,” he said
