Former senators Aquino and Pangilinan (pictured left and center) are running together under the management of Senator Hontiveros (pictured right).
Formation
At a forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) on February 22, 2024, Liberal Party spokesperson and former senator Leila de Lima announced that the party plans to field former senators Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan, as well as human rights lawyer Chel Diokno of the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KANP), as its senatorial candidates in the upcoming election.[1][2] Aquino confirmed his bid for the Senate on May 14 after being appointed as the chairman of KANP.[3] While former vice president and 2022 presidential candidateLeni Robredo was floated as a possible candidate, Robredo ruled out a bid for the Senate and instead announced a run for the mayoralty of Naga, Camarines Sur,[4][5] though the party remained keen in drafting Robredo for its Senate ticket.[6]
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes, who ran under TRoPa in the 2022 Senate election, proposed that the Liberal Party and its allies "set aside sensitivities for a larger cause" and align with the Marcos administration in the Senate race to ensure "obliteration of the Duterte forces".[7] Party President Edcel Lagman was also open to such arrangement.[8] Political pundits suggest that such a coalition would provide the opposition with more resources during the campaign but may alienate "many groups in the opposition camp who are ideologically opposed to any alliance with other political groups".[9] De Lima disapproved of Trillanes' proposal, emphasizing the need to adhere to the party's principles as a political opposition and identity as "the alternative to the Marcos bloc and the Duterte bloc".[10] Senator Risa Hontiveros concurred with de Lima, stating that while she respects Trillanes's proposition, such an alliance would not form a "genuine opposition".[11]
Announcement
On September 20, the Liberal Party announced Pangilinan's candidacy for senator.[12][13] Aquino and Pangilinan then launched their "Mga Kaibigan" (Friends) campaign on October 16 at the Bahay ng Alumni at the University of the Philippines Diliman, with Hontiveros serving as their campaign manager.[14] At a campaign event in Bulacan, in November 2024, their campaign adopted the name "KiBam", a portmanteau of their names.[15]
Following the mass, Pangilinan and Aquino conducted house-to-house visits to engage with voters on pressing national issues.[17] The day concluded with a campaign rally at the Dasmariñas City Arena in Dasmariñas, Cavite, a province with a significant voter base. The rally featured performances by celebrities, including Sharon Cuneta, Pangilinan’s wife, and endorsements from political figures aligned with the opposition.[18]
Policy priorities
The "KiBam" campaign is centered on governance reforms and economic recovery, with specific focus on:
Food Security and Agriculture – Advocated by Pangilinan, highlighting support for farmers and fisherfolk.[19][20]
Education and Youth Employment – Led by Aquino, focusing on the continuation of free college education and job creation for young Filipinos.[18]
Social Justice and Transparent Governance – Promoting policies aimed at good governance, accountability, and democratic reforms.
Grassroots and Digital engagement
The campaign employs a grassroots approach, encapsulated in the "Mga Kaibigan" (Friends) initiative, aimed at uniting Filipinos around their platform.
Additionally, "KiBam" has a strong digital media presence, utilizing online rallies, livestreams, and social media campaigns to reach a broader audience, particularly the youth and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Their messaging emphasizes unity, hope, and progressive change.
Association with the "Pink Wave"
Pangilinan and Aquino are leveraging the momentum of the "Pink Wave", a movement that emerged during the 2022 elections in support of reform-oriented politics. By aligning with Leni Robredo and other figures associated with this movement, the campaign seeks to mobilize support from Filipinos advocating for change, good governance, and social justice.
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