senator bam aquino

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.

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.

Sen. Bam: Support from Filipino people key to good showing in surveys, mock polls

Re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino made it to the Magic 12 of the recent surveys and mock polls, which he attributed to the growing support and confidence of the Filipino people.


“Buong puso tayong nagpapasalamat sa patuloy na suporta at tiwala ng taumbayan sa akin sa kabila ng kabi-kabilang fake news na ibinabato sa atin,” said Sen. Bam.


“Ang inyong tiwala ay nagsisilbing lakas ko upang lalo pang magpursige sa napakahalagang laban na ito kung saan kinabukasan ng ating bansa ang nakataya,” added Sen. Bam.


Sen. Bam recently topped the survey conducted by the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila while he finished 4th in a “Bantay Boto” poll conducted at University of the Philippines Diliman.


Sen. Bam placed 5th in the mock election held by the University of San Carlos School of Law and Governance and sixth in mock polls held at UP Baguio and at Philippine Normal University.


In a survey conducted by the Carl Balita Review Centers involving around 4,536 respondents from its 110 branches in different parts of the country, Sen. Bam ranked 8th with 38.7 percent. 


In the Magdalo pre-election survey conducted from March 5 to 7, Sen. Bam finished 9th with 32.6 percent. 


Sen. Bam said his impressive showing in mock polls will further inspire him to reach more Filipinos and listen to their concerns and needs.
“Mahalagang mapakinggan natin ang boses ng taumbayan dahil dito nakabatay ang ating mga ginagawa at patuloy pang gagawin sa Senado,” said Sen. Bam.


“Kung papalarin tayo, isusulong natin ang panukala na magbibigay ng siguradong trabaho para sa ating K-12 at college graduates sa tulong ng Trabaho Centers,” the senator added.

Lawmaker, religious groups: Sen. Bam has virtues of a good public servant

Re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino has all the virtues and characteristics of a good lawmaker and a public servant, according to a fellow senator and group of religious organizations.


In an interview, Sen. Grace Poe described Sen. Bam as a lawmaker with a conscience and a heart for the welfare of the Filipino people.


“May konsensiya si Sen. Bam,” said Sen. Poe, adding that “bilang isang senador, siya talaga ay may prinsipyo.”


“Ang importante ay ginagawa kung ano ang makakabuti para sa ating mga kababayan,” added Sen. Poe as she expressing support behind the re-election bid of Sen. Bam.


The People’s Choice Movement, for its part, has selected Sen. Bam as one of the 10 senatorial candidates it will support and campaign for in the May elections.


Composed of Catholic, Evangelical and Protestant groups, the PCM selected the 10 candidates based on their character and honor, competence and abilities, faithfulness to public service and faithfulness to God, the Constitution and the laws.


After the voting participated in by 130 representatives from various religious organizations, Sen. Bam emerged on top with 120 votes, a statement of their belief in his character and his capacity to serve the people.


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


In an interview, Sen. Grace Poe described Sen. Bam as a lawmaker with a conscience and a heart for the welfare of the Filipino people.
“May konsensiya si Sen. Bam,” said Sen. Poe, adding that “bilang isang senador, siya talaga ay may prinsipyo.”


“Ang importante ay ginagawa kung ano ang makakabuti para sa ating mga kababayan,” added Sen. Poe as she expressing support behind the re-election bid of Sen. Bam.


The People’s Choice Movement, for its part, has selected Sen. Bam as one of the 10 senatorial candidates it will support and campaign for in the May elections.


Composed of Catholic, Evangelical and Protestant groups, the PCM selected the 10 candidates based on their character and honor, competence and abilities, faithfulness to public service and faithfulness to God, the Constitution and the laws.


After the voting participated in by 130 representatives from various religious organizations, Sen. Bam emerged on top with 120 votes, a statement of their belief in his character and his capacity to serve the people.


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

representatives from various religious organizations, Sen. Bam emerged on top with 120 votes, a statement of their belief in his character and his capacity to serve the people.


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

Veteran lawmaker Sen. Ping Lacson endorses Sen. Bam’s re-election bid

Veteran senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has endorsed the candidacy of re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino, saying a hard-working and productive lawmaker like him deserves a second term in the Senate.

“Kung ako ang masusunod, magandang makabalik si Senator Bam sa Senado,” said Sen. Lacson as he praised Sen. Bam’s determination to pass landmark legislations, such as the Free College Law.

Like Sen. Lacson, Sen. Bam is also an independent-minded lawmaker and is concerned primarily about helping the poor and the marginalized.

In an earlier statement, Sen. Lacson said that Sen. Bam, as principal sponsor and co-author of the free college law, persevered to make this landmark piece of legislation a reality.

After gathering dust in the legislative mill for years, Sen. Bam worked for the passage of the Free College Law as principal sponsor in the Senate during his term as chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress.

“Kapag napapag-usapan ang libreng matrikula sa kolehiyo, ang unang naiisip ko, si Senador Bam Aquino. Alam kong siya ang nagtiyagang itulak ito sa Senado bilang author at Principal Sponsor ng Free Tuition Law,” Sen. Lacson said.

As the law’s principal sponsor, Sen. Lacson said Sen. Bam had to defend the measure from the intense questioning and scrutiny of his colleagues.

“Iyong sponsor, siya iyong nagde-defend. Iyon ang mas mahirap na gawin, kasi tatayo ka doon, tatanungin ka ng mga kasamahan mo, idedepensa mo iyong bill, iyong panukalang batas na itinutulak mo,” explained Lacson.

“Iyong pagiging author, susulat mo lang iyon, ipa-file mo, pero ang magde-defend, yan ang napakahirap, kasi napakaraming  pilosopo kaming kasama doon, tatanungin ka ng kaliit-liitang detalye ng panukalang batas, o yung bill, na dinedepensa mo,” he added.

Sen. Bam thanks Senate President Sotto, fellow re-electionist senators for support

Nagpapasalamat tayo sa mga kasama nating re-electionist at kay Senate President Sotto sa tiwala, tulong at suporta. 
 
Taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa suporta nila sa pagsabatas ng libreng kolehiyo. 
 
Dahil po sa ating batas na bunga ng aming pagkakaisa, kahit kapos makakatapos.
 
Ibaiba man po ang aming partido kinabibilangan basta para sa ikakabuti ng bayan, kami po ay nagtutulungan at nagkakaisa.
 
Mahalaga na sa panahon na ito, sa kabila ng pagkakaiba sa politika, kaya nating magkaisa para sa bayan.

Sen. Bam: Independent Senate to safeguard welfare of Filipino people

Sen. Bam Aquino warned against a rubber-stamp Senate, stressing that an independent Upper Chamber will ensure that the welfare and interest of the Filipino people are protected.
 
“Hindi ito kampihan sa administrasyon o oposisyon. Dapat kinakampihan natin ang mga Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam, who is running for re-election under the Otso Diretso banner.
 
“Kailangan po nating tiyakin independent ang susunod na Senado para sa kapakanan ng taumbayan,” added Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam underscored the importance of an opposition in the Senate, saying the country and the Filipino people will suffer if the Upper Chamber will simply give in to every desire of the administration.
 
“Hindi po makakabuti sa bansa kung ang lahat ng nasa Senado ay susunod na lang lagi sa gusto ng administrasyon. Kailangan na may titindig para sa interes ng taumbayan,” Sen. Bam said.
 
In the case of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, Sen. Bam said he voted against its ratification despite the heavy pressure coming from the administration as he is convinced that it will burden the Filipino people with high prices of food and other goods.
 
“Hindi po ako tumutol sa TRAIN Law dahil nasa oposisyon tayo. Tumutol po ako dahil responsibilidad ko na bantayan ang kapakanan ng taumbayan na siyang pahihirapan ng batas na ito,” said Sen. Bam.
 
However, Sen. Bam clarified that he’s willing to work with the administration when the welfare of the Filipino people is at the forefront.
 
Proof of this is the free college law, which Sen. Bam pushed as principal sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress.
 
“Ganyan po ang ginawa natin kaya naisabatas ang Free College Law. Dahil sa pakikipagtulungan, kahit kapos makakatapos,” said Sen. Bam, who has 35 laws to his name in almost six years as legislator.

Sen. Bam breaks into top 12 in SWS survey

Sen. Bam Aquino improved significantly in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, climbing to 11thspot from 14th place in December.

Sen. Bam garnered 33 percent, up from 24 percent last month, in the SWS survey conducted from January 23 to 26, 2019.

The SWS survey marked the second straight time that Sen. Bam made it to the top 12.  The incumbent senator placed 10th to 16th in the Pulse Asia poll conducted from Dec. 14 to 21, with 32.6 percent.

In a statement, Sen. Bam thanked his supporters for his significant improvement in the SWS poll, but stressed that the fight still has a long way to go.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa mga patuloy na nagtitiwala at sumusuporta sa atin. Subalit mahaba pa po ang ating laban na ating susuungin,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam also underscored the importance of scrutinizing the track record and accomplishments of all the candidates so they select the right candidate in the 2019 elections.

“Mahalagang suriin ng ating mga botante ang mga nagawa ng isang kandidato upang mapili nila ang tamang tao na titingin sa kanilang kapakanan,” added Sen. Bam.

In almost six years as lawmaker, Sen. Bam has 35 laws to his name, including the landmark free college law and the Go Negosyo Act.

Sen. Bam Aquino’s Sponsorship Speech for Philippine Space Agency

Magandang hapon, Mr. President, majority floor leader at mga kasama sa Senado.

I address you today to sponsor Senate Bill No. 1983 under Committee Report No. 434 entitled An Act Establishing The Philippine Space Development And Utilization Policy And Creating The Philippine Space Agency, And For Other Purposes, otherwise known as the Philippine Space Agency Act.

Have you ever looked out of the window of an airplane during take off?

Habang pataas ng pataas ang eroplano, paliit ng paliit ang mga building, mga bahay, at mga tao.

Habang palayo po kayo ng palayo sa lupa, para bang naiiwan mo na din ang problema ng bayan.

I was reminded of that feeling while reading responses to one of our online polls that asked if our country should invest in a Philippine Space Agency.

Madami po ang nagsabi na kailangan po muna natin ayusin ang ating mga problema sa lupa, bago tayo tumingin sa outer space.

Naiintindihan po natin sila. Marami nga tayong problema na kailangan ayusin ngayon.

Tuwing may bagyo, may matinding pagbaha. Araw-araw, walang katapusan ang trapik. Pataas ng pataas ang presyo ng bilihin at parang hindi po natin matuldukan ang kahirapan sa ating bansa… Bakit tayo gagawa ng isang Space Agency?

Pero natuwa ako sa sagot ng isang Mikael Francisco. Sinagot po niya ito sa ating social media platform. Sabi po niya, “Malaki ang maitutulong ng Space Program sa agrikultura, sa pag-ayos ng traffic, pagpo-forecast ng bagyo, at marami pang iba.”

Doon po sa kanyang sagot, nag-link pa siya sa isang article sa GMA Network na may pamagat: “Why the Philippines Needs a Space Agency”.

Natuwa po akong makakita ng Pilipinong nangangarap ng malaki para sa ating bayan. Natuwa ako na hindi pa nawawalan ng pag-asa ang iilan nating kababayan sa paghahanap ng solusyon sa mga problema ng ating bansa.

Hindi man masosolusyunan ng isang Space Agency ang lahat ng isyu ng Pilipinas, malaki pa rin po ang maiaambag nito sa buhay ng mga Pilipino.

For one, satellites can help improve disaster management – from providing accurate information that allow early warnings and predicting of disasters to reliable and quick communication during relief and recovery operations.

Para sa bansang lagi na lang natatamaan ng mga bagyo at pagbaha, malaking tulong po ang Philippine Space Agency para siguraduhing ligtas ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino.

Space technology also enhances production and profitability of agribusinesses thanks to soil and weather monitoring and assessment.

Ang nakukuha pong data ng isang Space Agency ay makatutulong sa mga magsasaka na planuhin ang timing ng kanilang pagsaka at irigasyon nito para dumami ang kanilang ani.

Para naman sa mga nagmamahal sa kalikasan, gaya nina Sen. Legarda at Villar, makakatulong din po ang Space Agency sa environmental conservation.

It can even improve urban planning, transportation and communication networks para mabigyan ng ginhawa ang mga Pilipinong nawawalan na ng pasensya dahil sa trapik at sa bagal ng internet.

Malayo man ang outer space sa Pilipinas, kung nasa puso naman ng Philippine Space Agency ang pagserbisyo sa ating mga kababayan at pagsuporta sa pag-unlad ng bayan, hinding hindi po ito masasayang.

Mr. President, esteemed colleagues, launching a Philippine Space Agency will give us a new perspective and valuable insights that can help solve some of our country’s biggest problems.

A solid space program can improve disaster management, enhance the lives of Filipino farmers, speed up our internet and telecommunications systems, and help us build more livable cities.

So let’s continue to dream big for our country! And let’s never tire of finding better solutions for our countrymen.

Mga kaibigan, ipasa po natin ang Philippine Space Agency Act!

Sen. Bam Aquino pushes ‘Bawas Presyo Bill’ amid rising gas prices

Sen. Bam Aquino urged the government to address the rising prices of goods, especially that of petroleum products, by supporting the passage of his measure dubbed as “Bawas Presyo Bill.”
 
“Huwag na patagalin pa ang paghihirap ng ating mga kababayan. May magagawa tayo para maibsan ang pagtaas ng presyo,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.
 
“Simplehan lang po natin. Taas presyo ang problema, bawas presyo ang solusyon. Kailangang ipasa na ang Bawas Presyo Bill sa lalong madaling panahon,” added Sen. Bam, referring to his Senate Bill No. 1798.
 
Sen. Bam’s measure seeks to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.
 
According to Sen. Bam, the government cannot escape the fact that its tax reform program, particularly the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law, has led to the increase in prices of goods and services and the rise in inflation rate.
 
He added that under the TRAIN Law, another increase in the excise tax on fuel is scheduled for January 2019.
 
“Huwag naman natin hayaan na itaas pa ng gobyerno ang presyo ng petrolyo habang nalulunod ang mga pamilya sa gastos,” urged Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam also urged Congress to prioritize the suspension and rollback of excise tax under the TRAIN Law, instead of focusing on the passage of TRAIN 2.
Scroll to top