Bam Aquino seeks Senate comeback in Eleksyon 2025

Former Senator Bam Aquino is attempting a return to the Senate as he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for Eleksyon 2025 on Monday.

Aquino, who will be running under the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KANP), said he would be banking on volunteerism for his campaign for the next year’s polls.

“Mas malalim at mas masinsin na social media strategy at yung pagsandal sa mga volunteers natin na nandyan pa rin at buo pa rin sa buong bansa. ‘Yan ang magbabago sa ating kampanya,” the former lawmaker told reporters during a media briefing.

(We will be utilizing social media and the mobilization of our volunteers who are still active and strong across the country for our campaign.)

“Iba na rin ang political situation ngayon at nakita natin from the last campaign na napakaraming Pilipino ang naghahanap ng iba naman. Kami po nakaasa kami dyan,” he added.

(The political situation is different now, and we've seen from the last campaign that many Filipinos are looking for something new. We're positioning ourselves there.)

Aquino left the Liberal Party (LP) to lead the KANP, a young party formed in 2021 to boost the 2022 presidential run of then-Vice President Leni Robredo. He, however, would be in coalition with the LP, who fielded former Senator Kiko Pangilinan for the 2025 elections.

He lodged his certificate of candidacy (COC) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday at the Manila Hotel Tent City. He was also joined by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

Once elected, Aquino said he would push for legislation that would secure jobs for the youth, complementing the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act that he authored.

“Libreng kolehiyo at siguradong trabaho, ‘yan po ang nais nating maibigay sa taong-bayan. Handa tayo para sa kampanyang ito at mas handa tayong maglingkod sa ating kababayan,” Aquino added.

(Free college education and guaranteed jobs - these are what we aim to provide for the Filipino people. We're ready for this campaign and even more prepared to serve our countrymen.)

Meanwhile, Pedro Gonzales Ordiales, who is seeking a Senate seat to push for the rights and welfare of OFWs, also filed his candidacy for next year’ polls.

Also formalizing their bids are 2021 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Roberto Ballon, who vowed to advance legislation for economic growth, empowering the marginal sector, and environment conservation as well as independent bet Nelson Ancajas, who is running for senator to amend the country’s healthcare system, focusing on patients with rare diseases.

LIST: Senatorial aspirants for Eleksyon 2025.

— RSJ, GMA Integrated News