Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan to join Senate race as independent bets

Bam Aquino File photo / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial hopefuls Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan said on Thursday that they will run as independent candidates in the 2025 midterm elections, veering away from the opposition tag.

In an ambush interview at the Kaya Natin Movement’s 16th founding anniversary celebration, the former senators shared updates on the status of their preparations for the upcoming polls.

“Many of us have decided to run as independents. Ibig sabihin niyan, ‘pag may nakikita kaming maganda, pwedeng purihin. Kapag may mali o kailangang improve, malaya rin kaming magsalita,” said Aquino.

(Many of us have decided to run as independents. Meaning, if we see something good, we will praise it. If there is something wrong that needs to be improved, we are free to talk about it.)

He cited an example where they lauded the pronouncement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) nationwide.

“I’m an independent. May bago akong partido, ‘yong Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino, the youngest political party in the Philippines and marami sa mga kasamahan namin do’n also identify as independents,” Aquino, the new chairman of the party, added.

(I’m an independent. I have a new party, the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino, the youngest political party in the Philippines and we have a lot of members who also identify as independents.)

Aquino also noted that the real opposition now may be the Dutertes. The recent rift between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte prompted Duterte to be labeled as the leader of the opposition, which she rejected.

READ: Akbayan Party slams Dutertes’ Senate bid as ‘fake opposition’

“Sa bansa natin, hindi lang naman ‘yan dalawang grupo. We are a multiparty system. Maraming iba’t ibang panig ‘yan. Mukhang ngayon, ang opposition ay ang Duterte group talaga,” he noted.

(In our country, there are not only two groups. We are a multiparty system with different sides. As for now, the Duterte group seems to be the opposition.)

Meanwhile, Pangilinan highlighted that names and tags are unimportant, but the track record is.

“Hindi mahalaga ‘yong pangalan eh. Ang mahalaga, ‘yong track record, so do’n tayo. At siguro kung kailangan man magkaroon ng pangalan, indie — independent,” Pangilinan noted.

(The names are not important. What’s important is the track record, so we’ll stick there. And maybe, if we need a name, it’s indie — independent.)

The former senator also emphasized the importance of stance on pressing issues affecting the lives of the Filipinos.

“It’s not whether you’re opposition, admin… Ano ba ang paninindigan? Sino ba ang may track record ng katiwalian? Sino ba ang may record ng malinis? Sino ba ang may record na tumututol sa aggression ng China? Sino ba ang sunud-sunuran sa China? Sino ba ang sumuporta sa Pogo? SIno naman ang tumutol sa Pogo?” he added.

(It’s not whether you’re opposition, admin… What’s the stand? Who has a track record of corruption? Who has the record of clean governance? Who has the record of opposing the aggression of China? Who is a mere follower of China? Who supported Pogo? Who opposed Pogo?)

Gearing up for 2025 midterm polls

Aquino and Pangilinan who previously expressed their intentions to run again for the Senate also bared their plans for the upcoming elections, including early stages of preparations for their election campaign.

READ: Makabayan bloc aims to field full Senate slate in 2025 polls

Aquino cited that being an independent candidate gives the liberty to talk about issues that matter the most.

“Maraming naghihintay doon sa mga programa para ibaba ‘yong presyo ng bilihin… Malaya rin kaming magsabi na kailangang iimprove ang bagay na ‘yan. ‘Yong pagtugis sa corruption,” he said.

(A lot are waiting for programs to ease the prices of goods… We are also free to talk about what needs to be improved.)

Aquino shared that there are a lot of preparations for the upcoming elections, taking into consideration the lessons they have learned in the 2022 national elections campaign. Aquino set aside his senatorial bid in the previous national elections to be the campaign manager of then-presidential candidate and former Vice President Leni Robredo.

According to Aquino, among the issues that many Filipinos are seeking help for are the cost of living, bringing down prices of goods, a stronger position on the West Philippine Sea, and reforms on wages and education.

“So when we go around, marami sa mga kababayan natin, sinasabi nila, ito ‘yong ipaglaban mo. ‘pag umabot ka dyan, ito ‘yong ipaglaban mo, ikaw ‘yong maging boses namin,” he said.

(So when we go around, there are a lot of fellow citizens who tell me to fight for it if I get there because I will be their voice.)

Further, Pangilinan stressed that the people care more about the prices of goods and proper jobs than the surveys on leading senatorial bets.

READ: Rep. Tulfo, Sotto top choices for 2025 Senate race – survey

“Malayo sa isip nila ang pulitika dahil ang una nilang iniisip, itong presyo ng bilihin, trabaho, hanapbuhay. So I think, in the end, ‘yon ang talakayin natin. ‘Yon ang pag-usapan natin. Paano papababain ang presyo ng pagkain? Ano ang track record ng mga pulitiko sa usaping ito?” Pangilinan said.

(Politics is far from their concern because they think first of the prices of goods and jobs. So I think, in the end, that’s what we will discuss. How can we ease the prices of food? What is the track record of politicians in this matter?)

When asked about the implications of the senatorial bets survey on their preparations for the upcoming elections, Pangilinan noted that they use this to measure their ratings and chances to win.

“Ano ba ang tawag ng panahon? Ano ba ang tsansa natin sa pagkapanalo? We factor in all of these as we finally decide moving forward,” he added.

(What is the call? What are the chances that we will win? We factor in all these as we finally decide to move forward.)