Pink Wave For Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan, Akbayan

Former vice president Leni Robredo graced the kickoff campaign of former senators Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan as well as the Akbayan party-list, at the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

Aquino and Pangilinan are hoping that the so-called “pink wave” of over 15 million people who voted for Robredo in 2022 would send the two of them back to the Senate.

Akbayan pledged to fight for the welfare of Filipinos and advocate for equal protection under the law. 

“For the law to be fair, our lawmakers must be honest. In Akbayan party-list, we are committed to integrity, and we will ensure that your welfare is protected and advanced,” Akbayan’s first nominee, Chel Diokno, told supporters during the campaign kickoff.

Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña joined Diokno in the event, which began with a Zumba session led by working mothers from Quezon City communities.

After the launch, Diokno and Cendaña attended a mass at the UP Parish of the Holy Sacrifice alongside Robredo, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Pangilinan and Aquino. Former senator Leila de Lima also joined the campaign.

Akbayan’s nominees later split up for house-to-house campaign: Diokno and Hontiveros in Tondo, Manila, and Cendaña in Barangay Krus na Ligas in Quezon City.

Akbayan’s third nominee, Dadah Kiram Ismula, led a fluvial parade featuring the region’s iconic vintas in Zamboanga symbolizing unity and cultural pride among Moro and Indigenous communities. 

“We have been marginalized for the longest time, but with Akbayan, we feel the love and support for our IP and Moro communities as they push for our rights,” Ismula said. 

Former Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares called on voters to help the party-list group return to Congress.

“The absence of Bayan Muna in Congress has only emboldened corrupt politicians and big business interests to pass laws that burden the people while benefiting the rich and powerful,” Colmenares said.

“For more than 20 years, Bayan Muna lead the fight for the interest of the oppressed poor. We also fought for the lowering of prices of basic commodities and increase in salaries of workers,” he added.

Political dynasty?

In Quezon City, independent senatorial candidate Ben Tulfo dismissed claims that his family is forming a political dynasty, saying he and his brothers – Sen. Raffy Tulfo and and Erwin of ACT-CIS – have different political views and have no bailiwicks.

“Let’s define political dynasty. Is there a law against it? If there is, why is Congress not enforcing it? I am against political legacies,” Tulfo told reporters during his campaign kickoff rally in Barangay Sauyo, Quezon City.

He argued that dynasties require political bailiwicks, which he claimed the Tulfo family does not have. 

“How can we be a dynasty when we don’t have a bailiwick? If we are in the Senate, that’s national,” Tulfo said.

He emphasized that he and his brothers have different political principles and decision-making approaches. 

“A dynasty is when power is passed within a family. If all three of us, Erwin, Raffy, and I, become senators, will we just hand power to each other? No, because we are different,” he said.

“We may be brothers, but we think differently. We have different principles, beliefs, logic, and intelligence. What we share is a commitment to help, but beyond that, there must be something higher, and that is common sense,” Tulfo added.

“I do not belong to any (political) party. Many groups have adopted me because we (Tulfos) are authentic – we are prepared. We are not just people who suddenly decided to enter politics without a clear purpose,” he added.

He said his decision to run stemmed from his observations over the past two decades of systemic weaknesses in governance. 

“For 23 years, we have seen the flaws in the system,” Tulfo said. “When you help people, the issues span across agrarian reform, farmers, the environment, law enforcement, social justice, crime, and the economy. The real victims are the people.” Tulfo said he is aiming to address these gaps by pushing for legislative solutions. 

“If you see a weakness, you have two choices: Can you replace it? Do you have something better to offer?” he said.

Good governance

In Bocaue, Bulacan, the CIBAC (Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption) party-list vowed to continue its advocacy for good governance as well as its fight against corruption.

CIBAC’s opening campaign rally was held at the municipal covered court in this town.

CIBAC is considered the country’s longest serving party-list, undefeated since 2001. It has pushed for 223 laws like Anti-Red Tape Act, Anti-Money Laundering Act, Good Manners and Right Conduct Law, and Ease of Doing Business Act, among others.

Sen. Joel Villanueva, son of CIBAC Rep. Eddie Villanueva, has endorsed his father’s party-list on its opening rally.

“Corruption is happening not just in government but in morality as well. This is society’s malady that’s getting worse here in the Philippines and across the world,” he said. “This, CIBAC will continue to fight,” he said.

His father, CIBAC’s first nominee, called on the Filipino people to join the fight against corruption and immorality.

“As long as the world exists, CIBAC party-list will continue to work for the welfare of Filipinos because this is not just CIBAC’s fight, this is the fight of all well-meaning Filipinos who love the country, and most of all who love God,” Eddie Villanueva said. – With Mark Ernest Villeza, Edith Regalado, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Jose Rodel Clapano