Bam Aquino & Kiko Pangilinan Announce Independent Bids for 2025 Senate Race
2025 SENATE RACE – Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aguirre Aquino IV and Francis Pancratius “Kiko” Nepomuceno Pangilinan said they will run as independent candidates in the 2025 midterm elections.
Senatorial hopefuls Bam Aquino and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan announced on Thursday that they will run as independent candidates in the 2025 midterm elections, distancing themselves from the opposition label.
During an impromptu interview at the Kaya Natin Movement’s 16th-anniversary celebration, the former senators provided updates on their campaign preparations. “Many of us have decided to run as independents. Ibig sabihin niyan, ‘pag may nakikita kaming maganda, pwedeng purihin. Kapag may mali o kailangang improve, malaya rin kaming magsalita,” Aquino explained.
Bam Aquino mentioned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent decision to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) nationwide as an example of something they supported.
“I’m an independent. May bago akong partido, ‘yong Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino, the youngest political party in the Philippines and marami sa mga kasamahan namin do’n also identify as independents,” Aquino, who is the new chairman of the party, added.
Aquino also pointed out that the real opposition might now be the Duterte group, referencing the recent conflict between President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, which led to Duterte being labeled as the leader of the opposition—a label she rejected.
“Sa bansa natin, hindi lang naman ‘yan dalawang grupo. We are a multiparty system. Maraming iba’t ibang panig ‘yan. Mukhang ngayon, ang opposition ay ang Duterte group talaga,” Aquino noted.
Meanwhile, Kiko Pangilinan stressed that labels and names are not as important as track records. “Hindi mahalaga ‘yong pangalan eh. Ang mahalaga, ‘yong track record, so do’n tayo. At siguro kung kailangan man magkaroon ng pangalan, indie — independent,” Pangilinan said.
The former senator also underscored the significance of one’s stance on key issues affecting Filipinos.
“It’s not whether you’re opposition, admin… Ano ba ang paninindigan? Sino ba ang may track record ng katiwalian? Sino ba ang may record ng malinis? Sino ba ang may record 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.
Ban Aquino emphasized that being an independent candidate allows for the freedom to address critical issues.
He also mentioned that extensive preparations are underway for the upcoming elections, taking into account the lessons learned from the 2022 national elections campaign. In the previous national elections, Aquino set aside his senatorial run to serve as the campaign manager for then-presidential candidate and former Vice President Leni Robredo.