Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano recently drew controversy for comparing his Senate fight to the struggle of Ninoy Aquino and for using the “Laban” sign during an Independence Day livestream. Critics, including the August Twenty-One Movement, called the comparison insulting and delusional, while Cayetano said no family has a monopoly on Ninoy’s name or on heroism.

What he said

He said he was not claiming to be like Aquino, but was identifying with the values Aquino fought for. He also said, “No family holds a monopoly on his name because no one holds a monopoly on heroism.”

Why it sparked backlash

The remarks landed badly because they invoked Ninoy Aquino’s legacy in a political fight over Senate leadership, which critics saw as self- aggrandizing. ATOM specifically objected to the use of the “Laban” sign and the comparison to Ninoy Aquino’s anti-dictatorship struggle.

Related family reaction

The issue also triggered a public response from Lino Cayetano, who reportedly told his brother “That’s enough” after Alan’s comment against Kiko Aquino-Dee. Lino also apologized to the Aquino family and said the timing was especially poor because it came near the death anniversary of Noynoy Aquino and their father, Rene Cayetano.

Bottom line

In plain terms, the controversy was about Alan Peter Cayetano invoking the Aquinos’ name and Ninoy’s legacy in his own political dispute, which many people felt crossed a line.

TL;DR: Cayetano’s recent Aquino-related remark was his comparison of his Senate fight to Ninoy Aquino’s struggle, plus a “Laban” gesture; critics said it was disrespectful, while he defended it as a statement about fighting for truth and heroism.