Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines— Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV should clarify his stand on the alleged sins of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) said Sunday.
In a press conference, UNA campaign manager and Navotas Representative Tobias Tiangco said that the Team PNoy senatorial candidate, the cousin of President Benigno Aquino III, has consistently avoided answering issues on his links to the Arroyo administration.
Arroyo, now a Pampanga lawmaker, is currently under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center for plunder charges.
The younger Aquino was appointed as a leader of the National Youth Commission back in 2001, something which Tiangco perceived to have been a “reward” for being a youth leader back in Edsa II.
He also recalled how Paul Aquino, the father of the LP-led coalition’s senatorial bet, served as Arroyo’s election strategist back in 2004.
Aquino’s father was also appointed as President and CEO of the Energy Development Corporation in 2004, said Tiangco.
The UNA official questioned Aquino’s support for the Team PNoy’s “righteous path” given his role in the Arroyo administration.
He claimed that Aquino had been a “loyal vassal who faithfully served” Arroyo in her presidency and asked whether the senatorial bet knew anything about the election fraud in 2004 and 2007.
“Was he a participant? Did he condone it?” asked Tiangco.
“Wearing yellow does not insulate anyone from civil culpability. Bam Aquino owes the Filipino people a decade’s worth of explanation,” he said.