Month: May 2019

Sen. Bam vows to continue serving Filipino people in a private capacity

Saying he already entrusted his fate in the 2019 elections to God, Sen. Bam Aquino has committed to continue serving the Filipino people in whatever way he can in a private capacity.

“Hindi man tayo pinalad na makakuha ng pangalawang termino, hindi mauubos ang pagmamahal ko sa ating mga kababayan at kagustuhang manilbihan sa kapwa, bagkus sa ibang larangan naman,” Sen. Bam said in a statement.

“Napakalaking karangalan ang manilbihan sa taumbayan kaya’t lubus-lubos ang pasasalamat ko sa mga nakatrabaho at sumuporta sa akin sa loob ng anim na taon at sa mga walang pagod na nangampanya nitong nakaraang mga buwan,” he added.

Days before the elections, Sen. Bam said he already surrendered his fate to God, believing in His plans for him and for the country.

“Bago pa man ang araw ng eleksyon, ipinaubaya ko na sa Diyos ang resulta. At buo pa rin ang tiwala ko sa Kanyang plano para sa akin at higit sa lahat, para sa ating Bayan,” said Sen. Bam.

In his six years as senator, Sen. Bam has 43 laws to his name, including the landmark Free College Law and the Go Negosyo Act.

Sen. Bam thankful for Catholic lay group’s support

Re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino expressed gratitude to the Sangguniang Layko ng Pilipinas for supporting him and nine other senatorial candidates endorsed by the People’s Choice Movement (PCM).

The Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas, the lay arm of the CBCP, declared its support for the 10 candidates as they will help keep the independence of the Senate, according to its president Julieta Wasan.

“Taos-puso akong nagpapasalamat sa mga kapatid na Katoliko ng Sangguniang Layko ng Pilipinas sa tiwala at suporta,” said Sen. Bam, one of the candidates endorsed by PCM.

“Salamat sa inyong paninindigan sa panahon na kailangan ng giting para sa ating pananampalataya at sambayanan,” he added.

Sen. Bam called on the Catholic faithful to choose candidates who will work for the welfare of the nation.

“Nanawagan ako sa lahat ng mga kapatid sa Katoliko, sama-sama nating ipanalo sa halalan ang tunay na makakabuti sa ating bayan,” said Sen. Bam.

The PCM based its selection on character and honor, competence and abilities, faithfulness to public service, faithfulness to God, the Constitution and the law.

Sen. Bam topped the PCM’s selection process, garnering 120 votes from 130 representatives from various Catholic, evangelical and Protestant groups.

Aside from the the Sangguniang Layko ng Pilipinas, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Commission on the Laity, urged the Catholic faithful to support and campaign for the PCM-backed candidates.

Microfinance ‘Nanays’ back Sen. Bam’s re-election bid, thank him for making free college a reality

TACLOBAN CITY — Hundreds of Microfinance ‘Nanays’ declared their support behind the re-election bid of Sen. Bam Aquino, saying he helped uplift their lives through his Free College Law and other laws in support of micro entrepreneurs.

The Microfinance ‘Nanays’, or microfinance beneficiaries, expressed their backing for Sen. Bam during a sectoral meeting here on Wednesday.

“At home na at home ako dito. Nakauwi ako sa sektor na malapit sa puso ko at pinaglingkuran ko noon, ang mga nanay sa komunidad na tinulungan namin sa Hapinoy na magnegosyo,” said Sen. Bam, referring to work with the microfinance sector during his time as social entrepreneur before becoming a senator.

In his speech, Sen. Bam said he drew inspiration from community-based mothers in pushing for the passage of the Free College Law, saying he wants to fulfill their dreams of seeing their children obtain a college degree.

“Ang pangarap ng mga magulang na makatapos ang kanilang anak sa kabila ng hirap sa buhay ang nagtulak sa akin na isulong ang Libreng Kolehiyo,” said Sen. Bam, who pushed for the passage of the landmark law as principal sponsor.

“Madalas kong nairirinig sa mga nakakausap kong magulang na simple lang ang pangarap nila, huwag maranasan ng mga anak nila ang hirap na dinanas nila,” he added.

If he wins a second term, Sen. Bam promised to push for the passage of his Trabaho Center Bill, which is aimed to solve the prevalent problem of jobs mismatch and high unemployment rate in the country.

“Kung makakabalik tayo sa Senado, isusulong ko ang Trabaho Center Bill kung saan pagtatagpuin ang mga naghahanap ng trabaho at ang mga kumpanyang naghahanap ng empleyado,” Sen. Bam said.

Sen. Bam emphasized that the Trabaho Center Bill is the next best crucial reform after the Free College Law to help uplift the lives of Filipinos, especially the poor.

Aside from the Free College Law, Sen. Bam also pushed other measures that support micro, small and medium enterprises and microfinance sector, such as the Go Negosyo Act, Microfinance NGOs Act, Credit Surety Fund Cooperative Act, and Personal Property Security Act.

Various religious groups back Sen. Bam’s candidacy

Various religious groups have endorsed the candidacy of re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino days before the May 13 polls.

The People’s Choice Movement (PCM) selected Sen. Bam as one of the 10 senatorial candidates it will support and campaign for in the May elections.

Composed of various Catholic, evangelical and Protestant groups, the PCM based its selection on character and honor, competence and abilities, faithfulness to public service, faithfulness to God, the Constitution and the law.

“Napakalaking bagay ng pagkilala at tiwala ng mga taong simbahan kaya taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat,” said Sen. Bam, who topped the selection process with 120 votes from around 130 representatives of different religious groups.

“Bilang Kristiyano, nagbibigay inspirasyon at pag-asa ang pagkapili nila sa amin lalo na dumaan ito sa matinding pagsusuri at pagninilay,” he added.

The Church People for an Independent Senate (CPIS), composed of 150 bishops, priests, and laypersons of the Aglipayan Church or known as Iglesia Filipina Independiente, also declared support for Sen. Bam.

The CPIS endorsed Sen. Bam as one of its 10 senatorial candidates, whom they believe will help protect the Senate’s independence.

”Malaking bagay po sa akin ang suporta ninyo para maisulong natin ang isang Senado na tunay na kakampi ng taumbayan lalo na ng mahihirap,” Sen. Bam said.

In addition, Sen. Bam was the only opposition endorsed by the endorsed by Catholic charismatic group El Shaddai.

Sen. Bam celebrates 42nd birthday on campaign trail, wishes for peaceful, honest elections

Re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino celebrated his 42nd birthday on Tuesday on the campaign trail, visiting the cities of Bacolod and Cebu with several days remaining before the May 13 elections.

Sen. Bam started his day with a thanksgiving Mass with volunteers and supporters at St. Joseph Parish Church in Bacolod.

The re-electionist lawmaker then joined his supporters and volunteers in a boodle fight before meeting with barangay captains of Bacolod City. 

Sen. Bam is scheduled to celebrate his birthday with children in conflict with the law at Operation Second Chance in Cebu City later in the day.

When asked about his birthday wish, Sen. Bam said he’s hoping for a peaceful and honest elections on May 13.

“Sana ang manalo ang mga lingkod bayan na talagang nagmamahal at nagmamalasakit sa ating mga kababayan,” said Sen. Bam, hoping that more members of the Otso Diretso make it to the Top 12 come election day.

On Monday, volunteers and supporters held a small birthday celebration for Sen. Bam in Laguna after he was endorsed by Senate President Tito Sotto.

Sen. Bam was surprised by his cousin, Kris Aquino, who renewed her support for his re-election bid. Other celebrities who greeted Sen. Bam were actress Kim Chiu, showbiz columnist Lolit Solis, host Tim Yap, Kim Atienza, radio DJ TonyToni, the Kramers and TV host Bianca Gonzalez.

Pangasinan, Isabela farmers declare all-out support for Sen. Bam

Farmers from Isabela and Pangasinan have declared their full support behind the candidacy of re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino, who pushed for the immediate release of financial assistance to farmers affected by rice tariffication law.

In Cauayan City, hundreds of farmers have endorsed the re-election bid of Sen. Bam during a program, where he was joined by Isabela Gov. Bojie Dy and other local officials.

More than 2,000 farmers belonging to the Pangasinan-based Abono Party List, led by its chairman Rosendo So, gathered in Urdaneta City to show their support for Sen. Bam.

“Huwag nating kalimutan, kailangan natin siya sa Senado,” said So as he thanked Sen. Bam for helping push for the passage of Republic Act 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act.

As he thanked farmers for their support, Sen. Bam promised to work for the immediate release of the financial assistance given to agricultural workers under the rice tariffication law and to focus on their other concerns.

“Itong pinagdadaanang matinding hirap ng mga kababayan nating magbubukid dahil sa pagbagsak ng presyo ng palay ay hindi lang problema ng sektor agrikultura, ito ay isang pambansang usapin,” said Sen. Bam.

“Kaya dapat ibigay na ngayon ang ayuda sa mga magsasaka dahil ngayon ito pinaka-kailangan,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam called on the government to immediately distribute the direct financial assistance to farmers under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to help them cope with the effects of the influx of imported rice in the market on their livelihood.

“Hindi na dapat paghintayin pa ang mga magsasaka. Kailangan na nila ang tulong ngayon,” Sen. Bam pointed out.

Earlier, Sen. Bam maintained that the government should focus on ensuring the livelihood of Filipino farmers and their families amid the entry of imported rice in the market.

“Dapat matiyak na walang magutom, mabigyan ng subsidiya, at masigurado ang kapakanan ng kanilang pamilya,” Sen. Bam said.

Aside from direct financial assistance, RCEF will also be used to support mechanization, credit assistance, seed development and for extension services for farmers to help them become more productive and competitive against imported rice.

“Mahalagang tulungan natin sila na maging produktibo para hindi maapektuhan ang kanilang kabuhayan,” Sen. Bam said.

Aglipayan Church leaders back Sen. Bam for an independent Senate

Re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino expressed gratitude to a group composed of leaders of the Aglipayan Church, for its endorsement, vowing to help uphold an independent Senate if he wins a second term.

“Taos-pusong pasasalamat po sa tiwala ng mga kapatid sa Iglesia Filipina Independiente,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the endorsement of the Church People for an Independent Senate (CPIS).

Earlier, the group, composed of 150 bishops, priests, and laypersons of the Aglipayan Church or known as Iglesia Filipina Independiente, has endorsed 10 senatorial candidates who will help protect the Senate’s independence.


”Malaking bagay po sa akin ang suporta ninyo para maisulong natin ang isang Senado na tunay na kakampi ng taumbayan lalo na ng mahihirap,” said Sen. Bam.

”Kaisa nyo po ako sa adhikain para sa demokrasya at katarungan,” he added.

Earlier, Sen. Bam was selected by the People’s Choice Movement (PCM) as one of the 10 senatorial candidates it will support and campaign for in the May elections.

Composed of various Catholic, evangelical and Protestant groups, the PCM based its selection on character and honor, competence and abilities, faithfulness to public service, faithfulness to God, the Constitution and the law.

Labor organizations declare Sen. Bam as workers’ ally, back his candidacy

Various labor organizations have declared full support behind re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino, calling him an ally and defender of workers’ welfare in the Senate.

Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), Anakpawis and Confederation for Unity Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE), which represent workers from public and private sectors, all committed to back Sen. Bam’s bid for a second term in the Senate.

According to SENTRO secretary general Josua Mata, Sen. Bam is reliable partner when it comes to welfare of workers and other labor issues in the Senate.

“Noon pa man, tumutulong na si Sen. Bam sa mga isyung may kinalaman sa ating mga manggagawa at sa sektor ng transportasyon,” Mata said during the group’s 7th general assembly where it expressed support for Sen. Bam.

Before filing his Senate Bill No. 174 or the Security of Tenure Bill, Sen. Bam worked closely with SENTRO in crafting the legislation that aims to end the practice of contractualization in the country.

If he wins a second term, Sen. Bam promised to push for the passage of the Security of Tenure Bill and other labor-related measures.

“Dapat sa 18th Congress, maipasa na ang Security of Tenure Bill. Na-file na po natin ang panukalang ito noong June 2016,” said Sen. Bam, a co-author and co-sponsor of the Security of Tenure Bill.

Sen. Bam also committed to work for the passage of his Trabaho Center Bill, which aims to solve the problem of jobs mismatch and high unemployment rate in the country.

Sen. Bam’s measure seeks to establish Trabaho Centers or job placement offices in public high schools and state universities and colleges (SUCs). The Trabaho Center will provide services such as Industry matching, career counseling, and employment facilitation.

According to Sen. Bam, the Trabaho Center Bill is the next best necessary reform after the Free College Law, which he pushed as principal sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Education.

Scroll to top