By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — People’s Television (PTV) General Manager Lino Cayetano has publicly rebuked his elder brother, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, over remarks directed at civil society leader Francis “Kiko” Aquino-Dee, calling on the senator to apologize to the Aquino family.
Responding to an Inquirer quote card posted on Instagram on Thursday, Lino wrote, “Hay. Tama na, Alan. Apologies to the Aquino family,” expressing disapproval of the senator’s comments that referenced the long-running political rivalry between the Aquino and Marcos families.
Alan Peter Cayetano had earlier told Aquino-Dee, “Just remember who you are, Kiko. Aquino ka e, hindi ka Kiko Dee-Marcos. Don’t get instructions from the administration,” after Tindig Pilipinas filed a complaint against him and other officials before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Lino pointed out that the exchange came on June 24, the death anniversary of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who was Aquino-Dee’s uncle, and also the death anniversary of the Cayetano brothers’ father, former Senator Rene Cayetano.
“Perhaps this is a good day for prayer, reflection, and quiet remembrance for honoring those we have all lost and recommitting ourselves to serving the Filipino people through our actions,” Lino said.
Aquino-Dee, grandson of former President Corazon Aquino and a convenor of Tindig Pilipinas, has declined to comment on the senator’s remarks.
Defending himself, Alan Peter said he was merely reminding Filipinos to continue fighting against what he described as “cheating, stealing, and lying.”
“We honor our parents, loved ones and heroes by acknowledging them and by fighting for what they fought for,” the senator said in a Facebook post, adding that those who ignore wrongdoing while enjoying the privileges of power should be held accountable.
The latest exchange highlights the increasingly public political differences between the Cayetano brothers.
Lino previously criticized Alan Peter’s statements on alleged election irregularities and later challenged his brother to lead by example after calling for the mass resignation of elected officials amid the flood control corruption controversy.
Their political split became more apparent during the 2025 elections after Senator Cayetano endorsed another congressional candidate instead of supporting Lino’s congressional bid.
The family’s political history also traces back to the Marcos era, when their father, the late Rene Cayetano, served as an assemblyman under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan before later joining efforts to revive the Nacionalista Party after the 1986 People Power Revolution.
ia/xf
