Pia Cayetano

Pilar Juliana "Pia" Schramm Cayetano (Tagalog: [ˈpija kajɛˈtano]; born March 22, 1966), also known as Pia Compañera Cayetano, is a Filipino politician, lawyer, economist, and television host serving as a senator since 2019, a position she previously held from 2004 to 2016. She was also the representative of Taguig's 2nd district from 2016 to 2019 and was one of the deputy speakers. Cayetano is a member of the Nacionalista Party.^[1][2]

Early life and education

Cayetano was born on March 22, 1966, to Renato "Compañero" Cayetano, who would later become Senator, and German-American former school teacher Sandra Schramm.^[1]

Legal career

From 1992 to 1995, Cayetano was an associate lawyer at the Castillo, Laman Tan, and Pantaleon Law Offices, specializing in corporate and intellectual property law. From 1996 to 1999, she was an officer for the legal and corporate affairs of the Belle Corporation and its affiliates, including the gaming conglomerate BW Resources. In 2000, she was general counsel for the Philweb Corporation.^[1]

Political career

Following the death of her father, Senator Renato Cayetano, due to liver cancer on June 25, 2003, several legislators, including senators, encouraged Pia Cayetano to run for office. As a result, she ran for a Senate seat in the 2004 elections under the support of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Cayetano ran under the pro-Arroyo coalition called Koalisyon ng Katapatan at Karanasan para sa Kinabukasan (K-4).^[1]

Personal life

Pia Cayetano is an advocate of sports as part of a holistic youth development program, prevention of diseases, and the need for a healthy and fit lifestyle. She is the founder of Gabriel Symphony Foundation which was established following the death of her son Gabriel, who was diagnosed with multiple congenital anomalies. The foundation helps children with disabilities and life-threatening ailments.^[1]