Bam Aquino: Opposition has not weakened

MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial aspirant Bam Aquino has countered speculations that the opposition has weakened.

In an exclusive interview with Inquirer’s INQside Look, Aquino was asked about the seeming “teaming up” of former Vice President Leni Robredo and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s allies against the clan and friends of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Aquino said the opposition has remained rooted and consistent in its stance.

“It has not weakened. If you’ll look at it, who is the most consistent on issues? It’s our group,” he said in Filipino.

“Our position against extrajudicial killings, against Pogos (Philippine offshore gaming operators), against the pivot to China — it’s still the same. So, if you sum it up, I think we are the most consistent. The group changes, but I think we’re pretty consistent with regard to many of these issues,” he added.

Aquino formalized his bid to return to the Senate on October 7. He is running as an independent candidate.

READ: Bam Aquino formalizes bid to return to Senate by filing COC

According to Aquino, he does not want to take the spotlight away from those who are running as the opposition.

He also said that he and senatorial aspirant Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan are happy that they are running as independent candidates.

“You know, there’s the latest survey which showed that many Filipinos identify themselves as independent and not part of these two big groups,” the former senator said in Filipino.

“So we feel like there are many Filipinos who are looking for allies. Not specifically those who are only running because they are an ally of the president or former president. They are looking for those people who would be on their side. And I think [former] Senator Kiko and many of the other independents are fulfilling that role,” he added.

Aquino, 47, was a senator from 2013 to 2019. He lost his reelection bid in 2019.