The August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM) criticized Senator Alan Peter Cayetano over his recent remarks and use of the “Laban” hand sign, saying his comparison of Senate political tensions to the struggle of the late senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was “laughable,” “delusional,” and “highly insulting.”
In a statement posted on Facebook post on Saturday, the group rejected the comparison, emphasizing that Aquino’s struggle against dictatorship under Former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was fundamentally different from present-day political disputes. It described Cayetano’s remarks as a distortion of historical sacrifice and democratic resistance.
“The delusions of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano know no bounds, as he compared their so-called ‘struggle’ in the Senate to that of Senator Ninoy Aquino against the Marcos Sr. dictatorship,” the organization said.
It also criticized Cayetano’s use of the “Laban” gesture during a livestream on Independence Day, saying the symbol carries deep historical significance tied to the anti-dictatorship movement during martial law in the Philippines under Marcos Sr..
“Kaya take your ‘L,’ not as ‘Laban,’ kundi ‘Lapastangan.Paglapastangan ng values na ipinaglaban ni Ninoy Aquino at ng mga Pilipinong nagpabagsak sa diktadura ni Marcos,’” the group said.
The organization further accused Cayetano’s political camp of contradicting democratic ideals, referencing past political alignments and recent conduct in the Senate. It argued that those invoking Aquino’s legacy should be consistent with the principles of accountability, transparency, and opposition to authoritarianism.
The statement came following a Facebook livestream on Independence Day, Cayetano used the “L” hand sign and said it represented continued resistance for what he described as Senate independence and truth in ongoing institutional issues.
“Gagamitin ko talaga ‘yung laban kasi we have to continue fighting. Laban lang po. It’s worth the fight. We have to continue fighting,” Cayetano said.
He added that the gesture symbolized his bloc’s call for continued advocacy on issues affecting the chamber.
ATOM reminded Cayetano that Ninoy Aquino fought against “fascism, corruption, and a lack of accountability,” which it said remain evident among figures aligned with the senator’s political camp. The group added that those it criticized — including allies of the Marcoses — now embody the very practices and values Aquino opposed.
“It is ironic that this camp, after having endorsed and danced for the Marcoses in 2022, now try to present itself as Ninoy's heirs. You are not Ninoy's heirs--you are enemies of the values he represents. You are not revolutionaries--you are "delusionaries," a new term coined especially for your lot,” it said.
“Hindi na kami hihiling ng kakaunting hiya para sa inyo, sapagkat ipinakita niyo na nitong mga nakaraang linggo na wala kayo noon. Ang patuloy ninyong pagbali sa batas, pagiging hayok sa kapangyarihan, at pagpigil sa konstitusyonal na pagdaloy ng impeachment trial, ay nagpapakita lamang na hindi kayo karapat-dapat na maitulad kay Ninoy at sa mga lumaban sa diktador noon,” the group added.
The ATOM, however, maintained its call for Cayetano to step down from office, saying his actions had brought disrepute to the Senate and the country.
“We remain consistent with our call to Cayetano: RESIGN NOW! As a senator. Yes, as a senator. You have become a disgrace not only to the Senate but to the whole country as well, with your antics reaching the international community,” the group said.
