Sen. Bam Aquino slams 'red tagging' against him and other senatorial candidates
Published Apr 26, 2019 11:09 pm
By Hannah Torregoza
Reelectionist Senator Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV on Friday slammed allegations he has been endorsed by communist groups in exchange for millions of pesos.
Senator Bam Aquino (ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN)
Aquino said “red tagging” attempts against him and other senatorial candidates are only meant to discredit their bid in the upcoming May 2019 midterm elections.
Aquino, who is running under the “Otso Diretso” opposition coalition, was among the politicians identified by a former liaison officer of the National Democratic Front (NDF) who got the endorsement of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA), the Makabayan Party list coalition and the NDF after paying them P20-million.
Other senators whom “Ka Nonoy” Alcantara alleged got the endorsement of leftist groups included senatorial candidates Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, former Sen. Serge Osmeña and former Congressman Erin Tañada.
“Malinaw na paninira po itong paratang na kami nila Senator Poe, Binay at Osmena ay di umano may ibinigay na halaga kapalit ng pag-endorso ng Makabayan Coalition, (It’s clear that these are attempts to slander us, Senators Poe, Binay and Osmeña, when they alleged we got the endorsement of the Makabayan Coalition in exchange of a huge amount of money,)” Aquino said in a statement.
“Huwag naman pong lokohin ang taumbayan. Tama na ang (Please stop fooling the people. Stop the) fake news,” he said.
Aquino, likewise, expressed hope that this year’s candidates would choose to elevate the level and quality of political discourse to provide voters sufficient information as they choose the next leaders in the upcoming polls.
“Sana itaas na rin natin ang antas ng pangangampanya. Sa halip na paninira, mga isyu na makakatulong sa sitwasyon ng ating mga kababayan ang kailangang pag-usapan (I hope we can level up the campaign. Instead of casting aspersions, let’s focus on issues that can help improve the dire situation of our citizens),” Aquino appealed.
“ Tama na bangayan, at magtulungan na lang tayo dahil mabibigat ang mga suliranin na kinakaharap natin, tulad ng kakulangan ng trabaho (Let’s stop wrangling, and just help each other because our people are going through tough times, especially on the issue of lack of jobs),” he said.
“Nagpapasalamat din po tayo sa marami pang mga party-list groups at mga sektor na sumusuporta sa atin, (Nevertheless, we are grateful to all the party-list groups and sectors who expressed their support to our bid,” the senator added.
Senator Bam Aquino (ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN)
Aquino said “red tagging” attempts against him and other senatorial candidates are only meant to discredit their bid in the upcoming May 2019 midterm elections.
Aquino, who is running under the “Otso Diretso” opposition coalition, was among the politicians identified by a former liaison officer of the National Democratic Front (NDF) who got the endorsement of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA), the Makabayan Party list coalition and the NDF after paying them P20-million.
Other senators whom “Ka Nonoy” Alcantara alleged got the endorsement of leftist groups included senatorial candidates Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, former Sen. Serge Osmeña and former Congressman Erin Tañada.
“Malinaw na paninira po itong paratang na kami nila Senator Poe, Binay at Osmena ay di umano may ibinigay na halaga kapalit ng pag-endorso ng Makabayan Coalition, (It’s clear that these are attempts to slander us, Senators Poe, Binay and Osmeña, when they alleged we got the endorsement of the Makabayan Coalition in exchange of a huge amount of money,)” Aquino said in a statement.
“Huwag naman pong lokohin ang taumbayan. Tama na ang (Please stop fooling the people. Stop the) fake news,” he said.
Aquino, likewise, expressed hope that this year’s candidates would choose to elevate the level and quality of political discourse to provide voters sufficient information as they choose the next leaders in the upcoming polls.
“Sana itaas na rin natin ang antas ng pangangampanya. Sa halip na paninira, mga isyu na makakatulong sa sitwasyon ng ating mga kababayan ang kailangang pag-usapan (I hope we can level up the campaign. Instead of casting aspersions, let’s focus on issues that can help improve the dire situation of our citizens),” Aquino appealed.
“ Tama na bangayan, at magtulungan na lang tayo dahil mabibigat ang mga suliranin na kinakaharap natin, tulad ng kakulangan ng trabaho (Let’s stop wrangling, and just help each other because our people are going through tough times, especially on the issue of lack of jobs),” he said.
“Nagpapasalamat din po tayo sa marami pang mga party-list groups at mga sektor na sumusuporta sa atin, (Nevertheless, we are grateful to all the party-list groups and sectors who expressed their support to our bid,” the senator added.