Public Service Rooted in Reform and National Leadership
Positions Held
Key Leadership Positions
Senator of The Philippines
2024 - Present
In May 2024, he was elected Chair of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship and Chair of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education.
Career Highlights
Konektadong Pinoy Act – To boost telecoms, honored Alas Pilipinas for AVC and SEA League bronze finishes, aided 800 beneficiaries in Apayao and Cagayan, and pushed for stronger BCDA roles and restored DepEd school rehab funding.
Senate Minority Leader – Became the Senate minority leader in September 2025, chaired key committees, filed bills on travel tax abolition, sports, education, healthcare, and workers’ rights, sought Duterte’s house arrest, criticized flood control and DPWH fund misuse, withdrew a CA nomination to break a deadlock, and backed five higher education measures that became law.
Senator of the Philippines
(2nd term, elected 2022)
2022-2023
Served as Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance (until July 2025), Chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology and Senate Committee on Accounts.
Career Highlights
Sampung Libong Pag-Asa Bill – Cayetano ran as an independent, pledged ₱10,000 annual cash aid per family, opposed online sabong and vape bills, won 7th place with 19M+ votes in May, and took office in July to file the “Sampung Libong Pag-asa” bill.
PNVF Chairman Emeritus – led the SEA Games volleyball delegation, backed the Philippine Development Plan, filed decentralization and digital bills, called for RCEP safety nets, launched Cebu aid programs, pushed the Sampung Libong Pag-asa bill with a House counterpart, and co-hosted “CIA with BA” for legal assistance.
Representative, Taguig–Pateros 1st District
2021
Completed his term in the House, with legislative work centered on pandemic response and economic recovery. Served as an independent after leaving the Nationalist Party.
Career Highlights
Pandemic and Livelihood Support – Focused on relief measures and economic assistance for Taguig–Pateros constituents.
Representative, Taguig–Pateros 1st District
2019–2020
Elected to the House of Representatives and subsequently chosen as the 26th Speaker of the House on July 22, 2019.
Career Highlights
Legislative Leadership – Led the passage of the Salary Standardization Law of 2019 and the creation of Malasakit Centers.
National and Overseas Advocacy – Chaired the 30th SEA Games organizing committee and advanced pro-OFW reforms.
COVID-19 Response – Headed the Defeat COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee, promoting a bayanihan approach and relief measures.
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
2017–2018
He resigned from the Senate on May 17, 2017, to serve as the 26th Secretary of Foreign Affairs under the Duterte administration, a position he held until October 17, 2018.
Career Highlights
ASEAN Diplomacy – Represented the Philippines at key ASEAN meetings, including the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting and the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Singapore, engaging in discussions on the South China Sea, North Korea, and regional cooperation.
Overseas Filipino Affairs – Conducted engagements with Filipino community leaders abroad to address consular services and overseas Filipino worker concerns.
Transition from Office – Stepped down in October 2018 to prepare for his candidacy as Taguig–Pateros congressman in 2019.
Senator of the Philippines
2016
He served as Chair of the Senate Committee on Agrarian Reform and Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. In 2016, he ran unsuccessfully for Vice President as Rodrigo Duterte’s running mate under the Nacionalista Party.
Career Highlights
Vice Presidential Campaign – Campaigned on the “Presyo, Trabaho, Kita” platform, emphasizing price reduction, job creation, and income growth.
Support for Philippine Sports – Recognized for his support of the national women’s volleyball team during the 2016 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship, advocating government backing for the team.
Senator of the Philippines
2013–2015
Elected Senate Majority Leader and served as Chair of the Senate Committee on Rules.
Career Highlights
Legislative Leadership – Filed key measures including the Freedom of Information Act, Orphaned Children’s Welfare and Protection Act, Iskolar ng Bayan Act, proposals to increase teachers’ compensation, and the decriminalization of libel.
Governance and Public Service – Led Senate majority initiatives advancing education, social welfare, governance reforms, and accountability mechanisms.
Recognition – Received the Gawad Dangal ng Lipi Award from the Provincial Government of Bulacan for exemplary public service.
Senator of the Philippines
2010–2012
He served as Senate Minority Leader and chaired the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, while co-chairing oversight committees on the Automated Election System and the E-Commerce Law.
Career Highlights
Legislative Oversight – Played a key role in oversight of electoral and governance reforms, and continued inquiries into election-related issues and public accountability.
Advocacy and Legislation – Advanced measures on the protection of persons with disabilities, domestic workers, and orphaned children, and supported initiatives linking education to employment.
Public Service and Reform – Remained active in anti-corruption advocacy and efforts to improve public service delivery.
Senator of the Philippines
(1st Term)
2007–2009
He was elected to the Senate and served as Chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, leading major legislative inquiries during his first term.
Career Highlights
Investigations and Accountability – Led high-profile investigations into the NBN-ZTE deal, fertilizer fund scam, and other governance issues, while advancing the Freedom of Information Act, which passed the Senate on third reading.
Education and Culture – Spearheaded the passage of Republic Act No. 9500 (University of the Philippines Charter Act) and co-authored Republic Act No. 9521 (National Book Development Trust Fund Act), strengthening education, research, and the book industry.
Social Legislation – Authored or co-authored key measures including the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, the Anti-Camcording Act, the Literacy Coordinating Council Act, and the Mandatory Hepatitis-B Immunization Act for infants.
Representative, Taguig–Pateros At-Large District (3rd Term)
2004–2006
He served as Senior Deputy Minority Leader and spokesperson for the impeachment teams in 2005 and 2006, later joining the Nationalist Party.
Career Highlights
Legislation and Public Service – Co-authored the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Act to strengthen nationwide employment facilitation.
Oversight and Advocacy – As senior deputy minority leader, championed anti-corruption, local development, education, and healthcare initiatives while actively opposing the Arroyo administration.
Representative, Taguig–Pateros At-Large District (2nd Term)
2001–2003
Served as Deputy Majority Leader and Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Rules.
Career Highlights
Legislation and Oversight – Co-authored the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001 to strengthen financial oversight.
Support for Overseas Filipinos – Co-authored the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003, enabling Filipinos abroad to vote.
Constituency Development – Advocated for improvements in local infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
Representative, Taguig–Pateros At-Large District (1st Term)
1998–2000
Elected to the House of Representatives; affiliated with LAMMP party.
Career Highlights
Legislation and Oversight – Filed bills on local public hospitals and free primary education; co-authored Arroyo-related measures.
Local Development – Advocated for anti-corruption and improvements in local infrastructure and services; participated in congressional probes on government mismanagement.
Vice Mayor of Taguig
1995–1998
Elected in 1995; official proclamation issued in 1998, shortly before the end of the term.
Career Highlights
Urban Services – Advanced initiatives for improved waste management and expanded healthcare access for indigent families.
Local Economic Support – Coordinated with local officials to streamline permit processing for small businesses, encouraging local economic activity.
Councilor, 2nd District of Taguig
1992–1994
At age 21, became the youngest councilor of his generation while studying Political Science at the University of the Philippines–Diliman.
Career Highlights
Local Infrastructure – Proposed ordinances for road improvements and public school facility upgrades.
Youth Engagement – Advocated youth participation in governance and helped establish a city youth councilor to represent young constituents.
2024–Present
Senator of the Philippines:
In May 2024, he was elected Chair of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship and Chair of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education.
Senator of the Philippines:
- filed the "Konektadong Pinoy Act" to upgrade telecom infrastructure, lauded Alas Pilipinas women's volleyball team for historic AVC Challenger Cup bronze and led Senate to honor men's and women's teams for SEA Volleyball League bronzes, aided 800 beneficiaries in Apayao and Cagayan, pushed for BCDA role enhancement and DepEd school rehab funding restoration; school rehab funding restoration.
- He became Senate minority leader in September, chaired banks, financial institutions, currencies and justice, human rights committees, filed bills to abolish travel tax, establish sports department, reform education subsidy, expand barangay healthcare, set up 24/7 super health centers, formalize barangay health workers' employment and expand kasambahays' rights, sought Duterte's house arrest, criticized flood control corruption probe delay and DPWH fund waste, withdrew Commission on Appointments nomination to break deadlock, and saw five higher education measures he backed enacted into law.
1992 - 1994
Councilor, 2nd District of Taguig:
At 21, he became the youngest councilor of his generation, serving in the Taguig Municipal Council while studying political science at UP-Diliman.
- Proposed ordinances to improve local infrastructure, such as road repairs and public-school upgrades.
- Advocated for youth participation in governance, establishing a city youth councilor to amplify young residents’ voices.