Bam Aquino to join ‘genuine’ opposition slate in 2019

Senator Bam Aquino said he would join a “genuine” opposition slate in 2019 that is willing to oppose and “stand up” against government policies that would be damaging to the people.

“If you ask me, in 2019, there’s a need for a genuine opposition slate. Kailangan ng mga taong magsasama-sama, magtutulong-tulong para labanan ang polisiya ng administrasyon na nakakasakit sa tao. And I think you will find me on that slate,” Aquino, who belongs to the Senate minority bloc, said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel on Monday.

“You need a slate that’s independent from PDP-Laban, that’s willing to oppose, willing to stand up even if it’s unpopular, and even when it’s dangerous to your health. But kailangan natin ng isang grupong ‘yun, in our country, for our country…” he added.

PDP-Laban is the ruling party being chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Too much divisions in the country, Aquino said, has called for the establishment of a coalition opposition slate in the upcoming midterm elections,

“And I think the Liberal Party (LP) will be one of those groups that will join that coalition opposition slate,” he said.

The senator said the coalition opposition slate should be composed of people who are “willing to speak out and stand up against Malacañang’s policies that may be damaging to the people.”

Aquino also clarified that he has never spoken to Senator Aqilino “Koko” Pimentel III, president of PDP-Laban, about the 2019 elections; or the President’s daughter, Mayor Sarah Duterte, about Hugpong ng Pagbabago.

In the same interview, the senator also stressed the importance for the 2019 elections to push through to show the true sentiment of the people.

“Let’s fight any no-election scenario that might be in the works,” Aquino said.

Some lawmakers have earlier raised the possibility of a no-election scenario in 2019 should the proposed shift to federalism succeed this year.

READ: No-el scenario in 2019 possible – Alvarez
/kga