Otso Diretso

Sen. Bam: People Power via ballot needed against corruption

Thirty three years after a corrupt dictator was ousted, Sen. Bam Aquino stressed that another People Power is needed, this time through the ballot, to ensure that no corrupt candidate will be elected to the Senate.

“Kailangang ng People Power sa balota para walang magnanakaw na maluluklok sa posisyon,” Sen. Bam as the country commemorates the 33rd anniversary of EDSA People Power 1 that toppled a corrupt dictator.

“Ang laban ng EDSA noong 1986 ay laban sa mga magnanakaw—mga magnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan, magnanakaw ng buhay at karapatan, magnanakaw ng magandang kinabukasan sa mahigit dalawang dekadang pamumuno ng diktador,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam said the spirit of EDSA 1 should be rekindled amid the corruption issues hounding the government despite the administration’s promise to stay away from officials with even a ‘whiff of corruption’.

“Hindi pa tapos ang laban ng EDSA dahil hindi pa tumitigil ang mga pagnanakaw. Kailangang buhayin ngayong 2019 ang People Power para labanan ang mga magnanakaw para gumanda ang kinabukasan at di na tayo bumalik sa dating kadiliman,” the senator added.

Earlier, Sen. Bam called on voters looking for better governance to air their sentiment by selecting right candidates in the May elections.

The senator is optimistic that voters will elect senatorial candidates who have the people’s welfare in mind and will work to uplift the lives of Filipino families.

“Magsisilbing boses ng taumbayan ang kanilang mga boto sa Mayo. Tiwala ako na pipiliin nila ang mga kandidatong magsusulong ng kanilang kapakanan,” said Sen. Bam, who is eyeing a second term under the Otso Diretso slate.

Sen. Bam welcomes Kris Aquino’s support behind free college law

Sen. Bam Aquino expressed gratitude to his cousin, actress/TV host Kris Aquino, for supporting his push for free college law that would give a better opportunity for Filipino students to have a better life through education.
 
“Nagpapasalamat po ako kay Ate Kris at sa mga kababayan nating naniniwala sa ipinaglalaban natin sa Senado na dapat may oportunidad na makatapos ng kolehiyo ang bawat Pilipino ano man ang kalagayan sa buhay,” said Sen. Bam, principal sponsor of the free college law.
 
Sen. Bam echoed Kris’ statement that education is the best gift to Filipino children, which is now possible through the free college law.
 
“Tama po si Ate Kris, mahalagang pamana sa ating mga anak ang makatapos sila. Dati pangarap lang po ito para sa mga kababayan nating mahirap pero ngayon ay posible na dahil sa Free College Law,” said Sen. Bam.
 
Kris quickly sent a statement after Sen. Bam was asked about his cousin’s support in his re-election bid during a television debate last Sunday.
 
Sen. Bam emphasized that the support of the Filipino people behind the free college law serves as inspiration amid the fake news and black propaganda being thrown his way.
 
“Malaking bagay po ang tiwala ninyo lalo na sa gitna ng kabi-kabilang paninira at fake news na ibinabato sa akin at sa trabaho natin sa Senado,” Sen. Bam pointed out.
 
“Nagpapalakas po ng loob ang suporta ninyo. Inspirasyon po ito na ilaban na tiyaking ang bawat graduate ay magandang trabaho,” he added.
 
As he seeks re-election under the Otso Diretso slate, Sen. Bam said he will work to ensure employment for all graduates and push other education reforms such as improvement of facilities and benefits for teachers.
 
In his almost six years as lawmaker, Sen. Bam has 35 laws to his name.

Sen. Bam: May elections should focus on needs, welfare of Filipino people

The May elections should center on addressing the needs and other vital issues affecting the Filipino people, and not on President Duterte, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Ang nais sana namin sa kampanyang ito ay hindi lang maging tungkol kay President Duterte o tungkol sa aming walo. Tungkol ito sa taumbayan,” said Sen. Bam, who is running under the Otso Diretso coalition.

“Ang eleksyon na ito ay tungkol sa mga boses na matagal nang hindi napapakinggan. Panahon na para ang mga sinasabi ng mga boses na ito ay maging bahagi ng mga programa ng mga ihahalal natin,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam said the coalition is focused on crafting solutions to the everyday problems hounding the Filipino people, including high prices of goods, hunger, poverty, security and human rights, among others.

“Nagbabago ang kwento ng kampanya dahil lumalaki at tumitindi ang pangangailangan ng taumbayan dahil sa hirap ng buhay. Ang tanong nila, sino ba talaga ang makikinig sa pangangailangan namin?” said Sen. Bam.

“Ang uunahin namin ay ang taumbayan, at makikita niyo na ito ang nagbubuklod sa amin sa Otso Diretso,” the senator added.

As principal sponsor of the free college law, Sen. Bam said it opens up opportunities for Filipinos to have a brighter future through education and helps poor families cope with everyday needs.

“Sa halip na ipambayad sa tuition ang pinaghirapang pera, ngayon maaari nang magamit ito ng pamilyang Pilipino sa iba pang pangangailangan, lalo na ngayong mahal ang presyo ng pagkain,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam was one of four senators who stood up against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law based on his firm belief that it will burden the Filipino people with high prices of food and other goods.

“Tumayo tayo kontra TRAIN Law dahil alam natin na ito’y malaking pabigat sa ating mga kababayan, lalo sa mga mahihirap,” said Sen. Bam, who has 35 laws to his name in almost six years as senator.

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