FORMER House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano believes that decentralization is the key to bring development in small towns in the country.

“We don’t need to federalize to bring development to every corner of the Philippines. We just need to decentralize. For example, [if] the project is in Bicol, the bidding must also be done in Bicol. It’s more transparent,” he said.

Cayetano, who is eyeing a Senate seat in next year’s polls, said he will push for “institutional reform for decentralization to happen” if he gets elected.

“That way, it’s easier to account and compare the projects and deals,” he said.

Cayetano added that he supports debates of presidential candidates.

“We have to know not just their stand but their plans on (how) they are going to address issues surrounding our country,” he said.