Over 250 supporters of Sen. Bam Aquino flocked to Intramuros to celebrate his accomplishments and express full support behind his bid for a second term in the 2019 elections.

Among those who expressed backing for Sen. Bam’s candidacy were Vincent Penaflor and Giovani Valdez, who are currently enjoying free tuition and miscellaneous fees in their respective colleges thanks to the law pushed by Sen. Bam as principal sponsor in the Senate

“Ni piso wala na ako ang babayarang tuition fee na aabot dapat sa P13,000 dahil sa batas na libreng kolehiyo ni Sen. Bam. Kaya ngayon ako naman ang tutulong sa kanya na makabalik sa Senado,” said Penaflor, a student of Batangas State University, during a short program while the senator was filing his certificate of candidacy.

“Sa halip na ipambayad ko ang P6,000 sa tuition and miscellaneous, ilalaan ko na lang iyon para sa pang-araw-araw na gastusin sa eskuwelahan at pamilya,” said Valdez, a student of Northern Luzon Philippine State College.

Amid cheers from fellow supporters, others shared their personal stories of how Sen. Bam helped change their lives through his work and over 30 of his laws.

Mary Jane Enciso, a beneficiary of Sen. Bam’s Hapinoy Program from Camarines Sur, said she received free business training in 2009 on how to start her own sari-sari store.

“Sa tulong ni Sen. Bam, dati nakatira lang ako sa paanan ng bundok. Ngayon, mayroon na akong sariling kabuhayan,” said Enciso.

Aside from supporters, Sen. Bam’s family was also in full force, led by his wife Timi and her daughters Rory and Coco. 

After the filing, Sen. Bam thanked his family, friends and supporters who joined him in the beginning of his next chapter as public servant.

Knowing that it will be an uphill climb, Sen. Bam said good fights need to be fought, no matter the risk and high costs.