Ballot 18:
Pilar Juliana “Pia” S. Cayetano
Nacionalista Party
Age: 58 (born March 22, 1966)
Highest educational attainment: Bachelor of Laws, University of the Philippines – College of Law
Endorsed by: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas (composed of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, Nationalist People’s Coalition, National Unity Party and Nacionalista Party)
Vying for her fourth term in the Senate, Cayetano vows to continue championing laws for the protection and empowerment of women and children, and improving healthcare access. She was a vocal critic of the vape bill, which lapsed into law almost a month into the Marcos administration.
Field of Expertise
Issues and Controversies
Co-authored and was principal sponsor of the law recognizing the legitimacy and imposing taxes on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in 2021.
Signed in 2023 the joint committee report of the Senate Committees on Ways and Means and Public Order and Dangerous Drugs recommending gradual phaseout of POGOs.
Family Members in Government
Alan Peter S. Cayetano
Relationship: Brother
Position/s held:
- Senator (2007 - 2017; 2022 - present)
- Secretary - Department of Foreign Affairs (2017 - 2018)
- Representative - Taguig-Pateros, first district (2019 - 2022); House speaker (2019 - 2020)
- Representative - Taguig-Pateros, lone district (1998 - 2007)
- Vice mayor - Taguig City (1995 - 1998)
- Councilor - Taguig City (1992-1995)
Lino Edgardo Cayetano
Relationship: Brother
Position/s held:
- Mayor - Taguig City (2019 - 2022)
- Representative - Taguig City, second district (2013 - 2016)
- Barangay Chairman - Fort Bonifacio (2010 - 2013)
Rene “Ren” Carl S. Cayetano
Relationship: Brother
Position/s held:
- Councilor - Muntinlupa City (2013 - 2016)
Renato “Compañero” Cayetano
Relationship: Father
Position/s held:
- Senator (1998 – 2003)
- Assemblyman - Interim Batasang Pambansa, Taguig-Pateros-Muntinlupa district (1984 -1986)
Ma. Laarni Lopez-Cayetano
Relationship: Sister-in-law
Position/s held:
- Mayor - Taguig City (2010 - 2019; 2022 - present)
- Representative - Taguig, second district (2019 - 2022)
- Representative - Taguig–Pateros, lone district (2007 - 2010)
Where this candidate stands on top 5 concerns of the Filipino voter
- Supports the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) law which formalized flexible work arrangements for businesses within the Philippines’ economic zones and freeports and expanded tax incentives for foreign investors.
- Sponsored and co-authored bill recognizing the legitimacy and imposing taxes on POGOs in 2021. Turned around in 2023 when she signed the joint committee report of the Senate Committees on Ways and Means and Public Order and Dangerous Drugs recommending the gradual phaseout of POGOs.
- Commended the Office of the Solicitor General’s plan to cancel fraudulent birth certificates of foreigners, and said Philippine citizenship is “not for sale.” She cited the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s findings that unearthed the exploitation of the civil registration system of illegal POGOs.
None on record
- Sponsored law giving importance to children as most vulnerable, before, after and during disasters and other emergency situations, and integrated this into the country’s disaster response
- Co-sponsored and co-authored bill requiring large businesses and plastics to recover their plastic packaging waste – materials known to worsen flooding, choke up drainage systems and endanger marine habitats. This bill lapsed into law on July 23, 2022.
Interesting Facts
- One of the senators who voted in 2011 to ratify the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the International Criminal Court
- A triathlete and has completed a duathlon each year from 2005 to 2007
- Youngest woman elected as senator at 38 years old on her first term in 2004