“What the Philippines will look like will depend on what you do individually, but also what you do as a community.”

This was the message of Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano to the 2025 Bar passers of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)  College of Law during their testimonial dinner on Friday, March 6, 2026.

In his speech, Cayetano urged the new lawyers to recognize the role they play in shaping the country’s future and the legal profession.

Noting that the graduates’ success was the result of years of individual decisions and collective effort, he reminded them that improving the country requires active participation and leadership.

“You cannot just wake up in the morning and wish for a better country. If you don’t change our country, someone will,” Cayetano said.

The senator also reflected on the role of his own generation in shaping the country’s present condition and shared his observations about leadership and governance in other countries.

“Y’ung generation ngayon, hindi na alam y’ung hirap n’ung dating generation. But since y’ung core values [ninyo,] y’ung soil, y’ung environment ayos na, it prevents them from going back and recurring,” he said.

Cayetano said strong values, leadership, and a supportive environment can help societies avoid repeating past mistakes.

He also encouraged the new lawyers to turn their achievements into concrete action for the country.

“I want to encourage you. Part of the encouragement is giving you the reality. The reality is kaya natin ito. Turn that pride into actual impact and change in our nation,” he said.###