AFTER getting the nod of the powerful Commission on Appointment (CA), Senator Alan Peter Cayetano vows to employ his legal expertise to help President Rodrigo Duterte as Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
Cayetano, citing that he remains a senator until sworn in as Cabinet Secretary, said he intends to deliver his last privilege speech for him to bid a formal goodbye to his colleagues in the Senate.
Cayetano, who made a promise and strong pledge of support to the present government when he faced the CA at the Senate before this confirmation started, said it is his strong desire to serve as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and will effect more genuine change for the country especially in the field of foreign relations.
He also vowed to introduce initiatives aimed at "advocating and pushing for the national interest" that will strengthen the bilateral and multilateral relations with other countries and organizations around the world.
"And of course the protection, welfare, and comfort of our Filipinos overseas, particularly our modern day heroes," he said.
The senator also took the opportunity to thank his colleagues in Congress "for helping President Duterte in fulfilling his mandate and vision."
Cayetano had been a public servant since 1992. He was first elected as the youngest councilor of the then municipality of Taguig and was voted as vice mayor of the same municipality. He served three terms as representative of the Lone District of Taguig-Pateros, and was elected as senator in 2007.
He currently holds the position of chairperson of the Senate committee on foreign relations. The senator had since been accompanying the President during his state visits to different countries.
"These foreign trips have... given a face to our 10 million kababayans abroad. They are working hard, sacrificing much, asking for little. They are hungry for change," Cayetano stressed, as he expressed commitment to promoting the welfare of OFWs here and abroad.
Cayetano was Duterte's running mate in the 2016 elections. (SunStar Philippines)