MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial hopefuls Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan mentioned on Thursday that they are going to run as impartial candidates within the 2025 midterm elections, veering away from the opposition tag.
In an ambush interview on the Kaya Natin Motion’s sixteenth founding anniversary celebration, the previous senators shared updates on the standing of their preparations for the upcoming polls.
“Many people have determined to run as independents. Ibig sabihin niyan, ‘pag might nakikita kaming maganda, pwedeng purihin. Kapag might mali o kailangang enhance, malaya rin kaming magsalita,” mentioned Aquino.
(Many people have determined to run as independents. Which means, if we see one thing good, we are going to reward it. If there’s something mistaken that must be improved, we’re free to speak about it.)
He cited an instance the place they lauded the pronouncement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) nationwide.
“I’m an impartial. Might bago akong partido, ‘yong Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino, the youngest political occasion within the Philippines and marami sa mga kasamahan namin do’n additionally establish as independents,” Aquino, the brand new chairman of the occasion, added.
(I’m an impartial. I’ve a brand new occasion, the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino, the youngest political occasion within the Philippines and now we have numerous members who additionally establish as independents.)
Aquino additionally famous that the true opposition now will be the Dutertes. The current rift between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte prompted Duterte to be labeled because the chief of the opposition, which she rejected.
READ: Akbayan Social gathering slams Dutertes’ Senate bid as ‘faux opposition’
“Sa bansa natin, hindi lang naman ‘yan dalawang grupo. We’re a multiparty system. Maraming iba’t ibang panig ‘yan. Mukhang ngayon, ang opposition ay ang Duterte group talaga,” he famous.
(In our nation, it isn’t solely two teams. We’re a multiparty system with completely different sides. As for now, the Duterte group appears to be the opposition.)
In the meantime, Pangilinan highlighted that names and tags are usually not necessary, however the observe document is.
“Hindi mahalaga ‘yong pangalan eh. Ang mahalaga, ‘yong observe document, so do’n tayo. At siguro kung kailangan man magkaroon ng pangalan, indie — impartial,” Pangilinan famous.
(The names are usually not necessary. What’s necessary is the observe document, so we’ll stick there. And perhaps, if we’d like a reputation, it’s indie — impartial.)
The previous senator additionally emphasised the significance of stance on urgent points affecting the lives of the Filipinos.
“It’s not whether or not you’re opposition, admin… Ano ba ang paninindigan? Sino ba ang might observe document ng katiwalian? Sino ba ang might document ng malinis? Sino ba ang might document na tumututol sa aggression ng China? Sino ba ang sunud-sunuran sa China? Sino ba ang sumuporta sa Pogo? SIno naman ang tumutol sa Pogo?” he added.
(It’s not whether or not you’re opposition, admin… What’s the stand? Who has the observe document of corruption? Who has the document of fresh governance? Who has the document of opposing the aggression of China? Who’s a mere follower of China? Who supported Pogo? Who opposed Pogo?)
Gearing up for 2025 midterm polls
Aquino and Pangilinan who beforehand expressed their intentions to run once more for the Senate additionally bared their plans for the upcoming elections, together with early phases of preparations for his or her election marketing campaign.
READ: Makabayan bloc goals to subject full Senate slate in 2025 polls
Aquino cited that being an impartial candidate provides the freedom to speak about points that matter probably the most.
“Maraming naghihintay doon sa mga programa para ibaba ‘yong presyo ng bilihin… Malaya rin kaming magsabi na kailangang iimprove ang bagay na ‘yan. ‘Yong pagtugis sa corruption,” he mentioned.
(So much are ready for applications to ease the costs of products… We’re additionally free to speak about what must be improved.)
Aquino shared that there are numerous preparations for the upcoming elections, bearing in mind the teachings they’ve discovered within the 2022 nationwide elections marketing campaign. Aquino put aside his senatorial bid within the earlier nationwide elections to be the marketing campaign supervisor of then presidential candidate and former Vice President Leni Robredo.
In line with Aquino, among the many points that many Filipinos are looking for assist for are the price of residing, bringing down costs of products, stronger place on the West Philippine Sea, and reforms on wages and schooling.
“So once we go round, marami sa mga kababayan natin, sinasabi nila, ito ‘yong ipaglaban mo. ‘pag umabot ka dyan, ito ‘yong ipaglaban mo, ikaw ‘yong maging boses namin,” he mentioned.
(So once we go round, there are numerous fellow residents who inform me to struggle for it if I get there as a result of I can be their voice.)
Additional, Pangilinan pressured that the individuals care extra about costs of products and correct jobs than the surveys on main senatorial bets.
READ: Rep. Tulfo, Sotto high decisions for 2025 Senate race – survey
“Malayo sa isip nila ang pulitika dahil ang una nilang iniisip, itong presyo ng bilihin, trabaho, hanapbuhay. So I feel, in the long run, ‘yon ang talakayin natin. ‘Yon ang pag-usapan natin. Paano papababain ang presyo ng pagkain? Ano ang observe document ng mga pulitiko sa usaping ito?” Pangilinan mentioned.
(Politics is much from their concern as a result of they suppose first of the costs of products, and jobs. So I feel, in the long run, that’s what we are going to talk about. How can we ease the costs of meals? What’s the observe document of politicians on this matter?)
When requested in regards to the implications of senatorial bets survey on their preparations within the upcoming elections, Pangilinan famous that they use this to measure their scores and probabilities to win.
“Ano ba ang tawag ng panahon? Ano ba ang tsansa natin sa pagkapanalo? We think about all of those as we lastly determine transferring ahead,” he added.
(What’s the name? What are the possibilities that we’ll win? We think about all of those as we lastly determine transferring ahead.)