DASMARIÑAS – Senatorial aspirants Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino are encouraging their supporters to help them finish what they started by replicating their efforts in the 2022 elections in the upcoming polls.

The tandem called on their supporters to move forward from the 2022 elections and focus on the 2025 polls during the People's Campaign Kickoff Rally at the Dasmariñas City Arena on Tuesday.

Robredo rallies supporters to back Aquino, Pangilinan reelection bid

Aquino, Pangilinan remain optimistic in senatorial bid

Pangilinan lost to Vice President Sara Duterte in 2022, while Aquino was the campaign manager of then Presidential candidate Leni Robredo.

"Panahon na upang pawiin ang luha, isantabi ang dalamhati at pag-ibayuhin ang lakas at tapang, ang paninindigan, ang pagkakaisa at pagmamahal sa bayan upang ipagpatuloy ang ating sinimulan," Pangilinan said.

"Hindi pa tapos ang ating sinimulan. Ang ating mga punla noon malapit na nating aanihin at nawa’y sumama kayo ulit sa susunod na yugto. Paparating pa lang tayo sa exciting part," he added.

Aquino likewise highlighted the importance of electing the right leaders.

"Meron na bang gobyernong tapat? Angat na ba ang buhay ng lahat? Oh, ibig sabihin nun, hindi pa tapos ang ating misyon. Hindi pa tapos ang ating krusada. Hindi pa tapos ang ating laban at meron pa tayong ipaglalaban sa ating bansa," he said.

"Kailangan po maging masigla. Kailangan po maging matapang muli, dahil may laban pa tayong ngayong 2025. Sabay sabay po may laban tayo ngayong 2025. May laban po tayo, at di lang po laban ito namin ni Senator Kiko," the former Senator added.

Aquino reiterated he will push for free education and jobs for the youth.

He highlighted the importance of funding for Republic Act 10931 or Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, following budget cuts for the education sector.

"Nagawa po natin ang libreng kolehiyo pero nais po nating makita napopondohan, ini-implement nang walang kinikilingan, walang pinaboran, at higit sa lahat lumalaki kada taon para mas maraming Pilipino, mas maraming kabataan ang puwedeng makaranas ng tulong pagdating sa edukasyon. Dahil para sa akin, walang dapat hahadlang sa pagtatapos ng isang kabataang Pilipino," Aquino said.

Pangilinan said he will continue his goal of lowering prices of food and fight for agriculture reforms.

"Kung tutuusin, simple lang ang hinihiling ng ating mga kababayan. Magkaroon ng mas murang pagkain at mababang presyo ng bilihin," he said.

"Kaya sa usapin ng darating na halalan, ako ay naniniwala, wala sa pulitikong kurakot ang solusyon, wala sa mga pulitikong sinungaling ang solusyon. Nasa kamay natin, ang taumbayan mismo ang solusyon dahil tayo ang mamimili kung sino ang uupo, kung sino ang hindi uupo," the former senator added.

Pangilinan called on voters to elect leaders like his allies Aquino, former Vice President Leni Robredo, former Senator Leila de Lima and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno if they want change.

His wife, megastar Sharon Cuneta, called on supporters to share the track record of Pangilinan to others and convince them to vote for him.

"Wala po siyang nagawang masama, wala po siyang nagawang pagnanakaw…. Sana po saliksikin ninyo. Please research kung ano ang nagawa niya sa taong bayan," she said.

"Sana po bigyan niyo ng pagkakataon makapaglingkod ulit si Kiko bilang senador ninyo… Mula nung unang tumakbo siya 25 years ago hindi nagbabago ang puso at linis niya bilang tao," the singer-actress added.

The Kiko-Bam tandem started their campaign by attending mass in Quezon City and concluded it with a rally in the vote-rich province of Cavite.