Senator Bam Aquino remained as the lone opposition in the winning circle for the 2019 senatorial elections, according to the latest survey by Pulse Asia.  

In the Pulse Asia survey conducted from June 15 to 21, 2018, participated in by 1,800 respondents, Sen. Bam was among the probable winners. 

“Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa patuloy na suporta ng mga Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam, “Pero kailangan pa nating patibayin ang boses ng oposisyon sa Senado.” 

“Mahalaga na mayroong handang tumutol at handang lumaban sa administrasyon tuwing may programa na sasagasa sa mahihirap na Pilipino,” Sen. Bam added, referring to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. 

As one of four senators who voted against its ratification, Sen. Bam has been aggressively pushing for the suspension and rollback of the excise tax under the TRAIN Law. 

Sen. Bam believes that suspending the excise tax under the TRAIN law can help ease the burden on Filipinos who are bearing the brunt of the increase in prices of goods and services due to the government’s tax reform program. 

 “Kailangan pa ng mga pinunong handang tumutol at handang magpatupad ng mga solusyon sa mga nagpapahirap sa taumbayan, tulad ng pagtaas ng presyo,” the senator added. 

 “Kapag mayroong programang makakatulong, all-out dapat ang suporta. Ngunit kapag hindi ito nakabubuti sa pamilyang Pilipino, handa rin dapat kumontra,” Sen. Bam asserted. 

Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to suspend and roll back the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law once average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 

Sen. Bam also is pushing for the full implementation of mitigating measures under the TRAIN Law, such as the unconditional cash transfer program for poor families and the Pantawid Pasada for jeepney operators and drivers.