Ex-senator Bam Aquino leaves LP

Former senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV has left the Liberal Party (LP) to lead a young political party, the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KANP).

In a statement on Tuesday, KANP member and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno said the party made the  decision to name Aquino as new KANP chairman in preparation for the 2025 polls.

"Buong pagmamalaki naming hinahayag ang pagtalaga kay dating Senador Bam Aquino bilang chairman ng partido (We are proud to announce the appointment of former senator Bam Aquino as party chairman)," Diokno said.

"Mahalaga ang pagkilos na ito kasabay ng pagpapalakas at pagpapatibay ng aming hanay bilang preparasyon para sa 2025 elections (This is an important move as we fortify our ranks in preparation for the 2025 elections). The party is moving in the right direction with the former senator leading the way," he added.

Aquino, for his part, expressed his readiness to lead the young party formed in 2021 to boost the 2022 presidential run of then Vice President Leni Robredo.

KANP has local officials from various regions of the country as members but fielded only one national candidate for the Senate 2022 polls: Diokno.

"It is truly a great honor to lead a party of experienced and dedicated members who share our vision and aspirations for the nation," Aquino said.

"As we enter another pivotal chapter in our country's political history, KANP will present itself as a viable alternative for Filipinos weary of traditional politics and politicians," he added.

GMA News Online reached out to Aquino as to why he decided to leave his longtime party LP and will publish his reply as soon as it becomes available.

KANP, for its part, said Aquino’s legislative experience and achievements will help enhance the party's capacity to realize its vision of uplifting the lives of Filipinos through effective governance, education, justice, technology, and digital media.

"Aquino’s solid track record as a lawmaker, highlighted by 50 laws passed in his six-year tenure as senator, has been instrumental in advancing the welfare of Filipinos, particularly in the fields of education and entrepreneurship," KANP said, referring to the Free College Act and the Go Negosyo Act.

Albay Representative Edcel Lagman, LP president, said Aquino’s move to KANP will help LP expand its base with another cause-oriented party ally.

“I wish Senator Aquino the best as he takes on this new challenge of leading some of the country’s political young bloods who have emerged as the faces of good governance in Philippine politics,” Lagman said.

Aquino's former partymates and Senate colleagues, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Leila de Lima, agreed.

“Masuwerte ang KANP dahil nakilala si Bam sa kanyang matibay na dedikasyon, tapat na paglilingkod at puso para sa taumbayan noong kasama pa namin siya sa LP (KANP is lucky because Bam is know for his firm dedication, honest service, and heart for the people when he was in LP),” Pangilinan said.

“I am confident that Senator Bam will turn KANP into a political party to reckon with and carry it to even greater heights amid an uncertain political landscape and other challenges,” De Lima added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News