Bam Aquino: LP members ‘surprised by my SET vote,’ but respect my decision

Senator Bam Aquino admitted that some members of the Liberal Party (LP) were surprised that as a member of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET), he voted in favor of Senator Grace Poe who is running for President against LP’s bet Mar Roxas.

Aquino said LP members were surprised at his decision but respected his position.

“While I admit that some members of the LP were surprised by my SET vote, nais kong idiin na ginalang naman nila ang naging desisyon natin at walang sinuman sa partido ang sumubok na impluwensiyahan ako sa kaso,” Aquino said in a statement.

“Ngayon, abala tayo sa pagtiyak na mananalo sina Mar Roxas, Leni Robredo at ang buong LP Senate slate sa 2016 elections. Ang mga balita-balitang mga ganito ay mga tangka lamang na ilihis ang ating atensiyon. Tuloy-tuloy tayo sa pagpapanalo para kay Mar, Leni, at ang ating LP Senate slate,” he said.

Aquino, in his three page opinion, said foundlings (abandoned children with no known parents) should be protected by the State because they are the “most vulnerable to statelessness and discrimination.”

Earlier, Rappler, quoting a source, said Aquino, cousin of President Benigno Aquino III, has been banned at the Balay or Bahay na Puti in Cubao, the campaign headquarters of LP’s bet Roxas.TT