Bagong Team Naga led by former Vice President Leni Robredo and running mate Gabriel Bordado raise the hands of Senate candidates Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan during their miting de avance at Barangay Sabang in Naga City. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA —Former Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday said Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan’s surprise good showing in the Senate race was proof that their supporters “did not lose hope after the 2022 debacle.”

Robredo and Pangilinan suffered landslide defeats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte in the 2022 elections. Aquino was their campaign manager.

Robredo said she was “euphoric” for Aquino, Pangilinan, and her other allies, Leila De Lima and Chel Diokno, who are set to secure seats as party-list nominees. 

“Euphoric talaga ‘yong pakiramdam, ‘yong saya parang hindi makapaniwala… Sa amin masaya nang makapasok ‘yong dalawa sa Top 12 pero ‘yong ranking nila, was so much more than we expected,” she said. 

“So ito, assurance that the movement is strong. Hindi nawalan ang tao ng pag-asa after the 2022 debacle,” she added.

2025 polls a 'bloodbath for celebrities', Bam gets Millennials, Gen Z vote - analyst

For the first time, Robredo also broke her silence on the bashing she experienced on social media, especially from some ‘Kakampinks’ due to her endorsement of some pro-administration candidates during the campaign.

“Nag-hold back ako kasi may bigger fight na kino-konsider. In the end, ‘yong mga gamble nag-pay-off,” she said.

“Mahirap siya, all the bashing that I got because of all the things we did. Ano naman ‘yon, everything was discussed with our candidates. Pero in the end ang nagma-matter naman ‘yong result ng elections,” she added.

Pulse Asia explains difference between last survey vs election results

Filipinos worldwide can stay updated on election-related news and results via the “Halalan” page on ABS-CBN.com.