Bam Aquino rejects ‘opposition’ tag: We’re independent slate

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Senatorial bet Kiko Pangilinan says he is willing to set aside politics and work with the President to lower the price of rice, a campaign promise of the Chief Executive in 2022 that remains unfulfilled three years later

MANILA, Philippines – Senatorial candidate Bam Aquino clarified on Tuesday, February 11, that their “Kiko-Bam” tandem with fellow candidate Kiko Pangilinan is an independent slate, not an opposition slate, distancing themselves from the branding they used in previous elections.

Aquino made the statement when asked by the media why they decided to drop the opposition label in their bid to return to the Senate.

“I’ve always said we’re an independent slate. Palagay ko ‘yung pagbabansag ay mula sa media. Pero kami naman, klaro na independent ang aming pagtakbo. May dalawang malaking grupo na nag-uumpogan ngayon at kami naman po ni Senator Kiko, klaro na ang pinapanigan namin ‘yung taong bayan,” Aquino told reporters in a chance interview after attending a Holy Mass at the UP Chapel in Quezon City.

(I’ve always said we’re an independent slate. I think the label comes from the media. But, for us, it’s clear that our campaign is independent. Two big groups are clashing right now, and senator Kiko and I are clearly on the side of the people.)

He also positioned their tandem as an alternative to the Marcos and Duterte factions, each of which has its own Senate slate: the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas and the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) slate, respectively.

“But clearly, meron tayong administration slate. Meron rin tayong slate headed by [former] president Rodrigo Duterte. And ito pong independent slate. Para maganda po dito, may choice talaga ‘yung taong bayan natin. Marami silang pwedeng pagpilian,” Aquino added.

(But clearly, we have an administration slate. We also have a slate headed by [former] president Rodrigo Duterte. And then, there’s this independent slate. What’s great about this is that the people really have a choice. They have many options to choose from.)

Aquino’s statement distancing their tandem from the opposition is notable, as he previously served as the campaign manager for former vice president Leni Robredo in her unsuccessful 2022 presidential bid against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He also led Robredo’s campaign in 2016, which secured her the vice presidency.

The Aquino and Marcos families have a long history of political estrangement, dating back to the assassination of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. on August 21, 1983 and the ouster of the late dictator president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in February 1986.

Since the fallout of the once formidable “Uniteam,” the Duterte camp, led by Vice President Sara Duterte, has positioned itself as the opposition. This move has drawn criticism from critics and leftist groups, who argue that they do not embody the true qualities of an opposition.

Pangilinan willing to work with Marcos

In his proclamation speech on the first day of the Kiko-Bam campaign, Pangilinan said that he is willing to set aside politics and work with Marcos to lower the price of rice, a campaign promise from the President that remains unfulfilled since he assumed office in 2022.

“Walang kulay ang gutom. Handa tayong isantabi ang pulitika at makipagtulungan sa pangulo at sa Department of Agricultiure, upang pababain ang presyo ng bilihin. Kung kayang arestuhin ang pagtaas ng presyo basta nagtutulungan ang Malacañang at ang Senado. At ang higit sa lahat, walang sasantuhin,” he said.

(Hunger knows no color. We are ready to set aside politics and work with the President and the Department of Agriculture to lower the prices of goods. If we can arrest the rising prices, it’s possible as long as Malacañang and the Senate work together. Above all, no one will be spared.)

Pangilinan, who lost the vice presidency to Sara Duterte in 2022, is aiming for a Senate comeback in this year’s midterm elections.

The Kiko-Bam slate kicked off their campaign in vote-rich Cavite, where they were formally endorsed by Robredo. Inspired by the 2022 “Pink Movement,” Kiko-Bam launched a “people’s campaign” with the goal of replicating the big crowds from their previous campaign sorties.

A January 18 to 25, 2025 Pulse Asia survey shows that the midterm polls are shaping up to be a tight race, especially for the last 6 seats, with at least 14 out of 66 Senate candidates listed having a “statistical chance” of winning. Pangilinan and Aquino were currently outside the winning circle of 12, placing between 15th and 16th, and 15th and 18th, respectively, if polls were held during the survey period. – Rappler.com