Personal Information

• Age and date of birth: 58 (March 22, 1966)
• Party: Nacionalista Party
• Highest Educational Attainment: Bachelor of Laws, University of the Philippines – College of Law
• Highest Government Position Held: Senator

Summary

Stance on Key Issues

On Poverty, Controlling Inflation, and Jobs

• 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.

On Fighting Graft and Corruption

• Sponsored and co-authored a bill recognizing the legitimacy and imposing taxes on POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) 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.

On West Philippine Sea

• None on record.

On The Drug War

• Led a Senate probe into the Duterte administration’s drug war in October 2024, citing it as important for Filipinos, especially for families who have been “victims of the evils it has caused.”

On Disaster Preparedness

• Sponsored a law giving importance to children as the most vulnerable, before, during, and after disasters and other emergency situations, and integrated this into the country’s disaster response.
• Co-sponsored and co-authored a 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.

Government Experience / Field of Expertise

• Senator: (2004-2010, 2010-2016, 2019-present)
• Representative - Taguig City, second district: (2016-2019)
• President - Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians at the Inter-Parliamentary Union: (2008-2010)
• First Vice President - Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians: (2006-2008)
• President - 10th Meeting of Women Parliamentarians of the 112th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly: (2005)

Issues and Controversies

• Co-authored and was the 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 the gradual phaseout of POGOs.

Family Members in Government

Alan Peter S. Cayetano

• Relationship: Son
• Position held:
  • Councilor, Tagaytay City (2019-present)

Lino Edgardo Cayetano

• Relationship: Brother
• Positions held:
  • Mayor - Taguig City (2019-2022)
  • Representative - Taguig City, second district (2013-2016)

Rene "Ren" Carl S. Cayetano

• Relationship: Brother
• Position held:
  • Councilor - Muntinlupa City (2013-2016)

Renato "Compañero" Cayetano

• Relationship: Father
• Positions held:
  • Senator (1998-2003)
  • Assemblyman - Interim Batasang Pambansa, Taguig-Pateros-Muntinlupa district (1984-1986)

Ma. Laarni Lopez-Cayetano

• Relationship: Sister-in-law
• Positions held:
  • Mayor - Taguig City (2010-2019, 2022-present)
  • Representative - Taguig, second district (2019-2022)
  • Representative - Taguig-Pateros, lone district (2007-2010)