Casino slams Aquino cousin’s entry into senatorial derby

Rep. Teodoro Casiño. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The news about President Benigno Aquino III’s first cousin’s ambition to seek a Senate seat has sent Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño grumbling.

Casiño, who is also eyeing to join the senatorial race, said Wednesday that the entry of Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV into the political fray “confirms our view that the senatorial elections will be a contest among old names in politics.”

“Nothing has changed,” he said in a statement.

For a change, Casiño said the Senate needs voices from new constituencies as he encouraged candidates “who may not have the same political pedigree as Bam but who are equally qualified and competent to be senators.”

On his political plans, Casiño said he was considering running independently under the Makabayan Coalition or as a guest candidate in the senatorial tickets of either the Nacionalista Party or the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Karen Boncocan