Aquino, Pangilinan remain optimistic in senatorial bid | ABS-CBN

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Aquino, Pangilinan remain optimistic in senatorial bid

Aquino, Pangilinan remain optimistic in senatorial bid

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

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MANILA – Senatorial candidates Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino remain optimistic of their chances in the 2025 midterm elections, despite their position in recent surveys.

The tandem, who are running as independent candidates, say it's still early in the race to give up, citing the previous elections, where they saw an outpouring of support closer to the day of the polls.

"Kumbaga sa basketball, second quarter na tayo. Medyo tinambakan tayo sa first quarter. So babawi tayo ng second quarter, hanggang sa dulo maipapanalo na natin," Pangilinan said.

"Hanggang ngayon talagang hindi pa tapos kaya tuloy-tuloy lang. I describe this as a continuation of our effort na patuloy na isinusulong ang ating simulain para sa mababang presyo ng pagkain at tapat at totoong pamumuhay," he added.

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They began their campaign by attending mass with supporters, families and allies at the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice in UP Diliman.

The tandem was joined by former Vice President Leni Robredo, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list nominees Teddy Baguilat and Erin Tañada, as well as Akbayan Party-list nominees Atty. Chel Diokno and Perci Cendaña.

Pangilinan said the presence of Robredo means a lot to their reelection bid.

"Commitment naman niya 'yun. 45 days kasi ang kampanya sa mayoralty race. So mayroon pang oras para tulungan kami bago magumpisa ang kanyang kampanya sa Naga. At commitment naman niya, she will be joining us in a number of our activities, events," he shared.

Pangilinan also shared the biggest lesson they learned from the 2022 campaign.

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"Kailangan mag-reach out, maging bukas, paramihin ang ating hanay. Huwag aawayin 'yung mga hindi natin… Lalo sa supporters natin, huwag nating aawayin ang iba ang punto de vista. Sa halip ay kumbinsihin natin, hikayatin natin para maparami natin ang ating hanay," he said.

Aquino, for his part, said he expects to see the same brand and amount of volunteerism as they did in the 2022 elections.

"Maaga pa friends, first day pa lang. At kung napansin niyo, ngayon palang lumalabas rin 'yung mga volunteers. Kaya naniniwala kami gaya rin ng dati, gaya rin ng 2022. Gaya nung 2022, nung pasimula 'yung kampanya medyo wala pa lang. Pero by the end of the campaign, nayanig 'yung buong pundasyon ng pulitika sa Pilipinas. So ngayon 'yun din makikita natin. Mula ngayon and for the next 90 days, lalabas yung mga tao at makikita nila na magandang alternatibo si Kiko at si Bam," he explained.

After the mass, Pangilinan went on house-to-house visits in Barangay Krus na Ligas in Quezon City to woo voters, listen to their concerns and greet supporters.

The wife of Aquino, Timi Gomez-Aquino also made the rounds to encourage residents in the area to vote for her husband.

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When asked about the impeachment, Aquino said it's not an issue ordinary Filipinos are interested in and an issue for politicians.

"Palagay ko impeachment mahalaga siya sa mga partido, mahalaga siya sa mga politiko, pero pag dating sa taong bayan ang hinahanap pa rin nila ang mga tao magtatrabaho para sa kanila, ang mga issue na mahalaga sa kanilang pamilya at mahalaga sa kanilang pag-araw-araw na buhay," he shared.

Should he be elected to the Senate and if he becomes a judge in the impeachment trial, he vows to judge the evidence fairly.

"Siguro nga maganda na may independent sa Senado kasi ang nangyayari kapag may partido ka na parang nag-prejudge ka na eh diba. Pero yung independent kaya tingnan yung ebidensya, kaya tingnan kung anong i-prepresent ng prosecution at defense at gagawa ng desisyon base sa ebidensya, hindi base lang sa politika o base lang sa kaibigan," he said.

Pangilinan's campaign platform remains anchored on lowering the prices of food and reforms in agriculture; while Aquino will continue to push for free college education, reforms in education and assured jobs.

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