As the lone opposition member within the top 12 in recent senatorial surveys, Senator Bam Aquino underscored the need for a dissenting voice amid contentious reforms and controversies hounding the Duterte administration. 

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa taumbayan at naisama ako sa top 12. Kailangan ng mga senador na handang tumutol sa mga programa ng administrasyon na hindi makatutulong sa pamilyang Pilipino. Mahalaga na balanse ang Senado,” said Sen. Bam, who was the only re-electionist senator who opposed the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. 

“We must strengthen the independence of the Senate by electing officials who are not afraid to oppose the administration and join the minority, especially now that the Supreme Court has shown its blatant bias. Kailangan ng mga senador na maninindigan para sa taumbayan, para sa demokrasya,” Sen. Bam added. 

Sen. Bam placed 11th in the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted last April 7 to 11 with respondents of 1,200. In the latest Pulse Asia senatorial survey conducted from March 23 to 28, he was also the lone opposition who made it to the top 12, landing in a tie for 10th place. 

Sen. Bam was one of four senators, and the only re-electionist senator, who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, due to the expected price increases and negative impact on poor Filipino families. 

Recently, Sen. Bam submitted Senate Bill No. 1798 that seeks to amend the controversial tax reform program that will suspend the collection of excise tax on fuel once inflation rate breaches the prescribed “target range.” 

In Sen. Bam’s measure, the excise tax on fuel under TRAIN will be suspended when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.  

“Kailangan na muna nating i-preno ang TRAIN dahil marami na itong nasasagasaan na mahihirap na Pilipino sa dala nitong pagtaas sa presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam.