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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Kiko, Bam did what had to be done without sacrificing their principles—Robredo

Kiko, Bam did what had to be done without sacrificing their principles—Robredo

Published Jul 16, 2025 09:36 am
Former vice president and now Naga Mayor Leni Robredo came to the defense of Senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, saying that they did what was necessary to win the 2025 senatorial race without compromising their principles.

Senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan with Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo (Photo from Team Kiko-Bam)
Senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan with Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo (Photo from Team Kiko-Bam)
“Sa atin lang, if we fight right, may chance tayo. Gaya ng ginawa nila Senator Bam (Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan), kung gusto natin manalo, kailangan mas lawakin natin iyong space natin para sa dissenting views (For us, if we fight right, we have a chance. Like what Senator Bam and Kiko had done, if we want to win, we have to expand our space for dissenting views),” Robredo said.

Aquino finished second in the 2025 senatorial race, garnering more than 20 million votes, while Pangilinan placed fifth with more than 15 million votes, despite lagging in pre-election surveys.

To replicate the success of the two senators, Robredo urged allies and supporters to embrace collaboration and inclusivity, noting it would both their movement and the entire country.

“Marami pa rin kasi tayong mga kasama na mas puso, mas puso yung pinapairal, mas emotion. Ako, kung gusto natin manalo, 'di pwede yun eh. Kung gusto nating manalo, kailangan mas malayo yung pagtingin natin at mas malawak (Many of our allies still let their hearts and emotions prevail. For me, if we want to win, we can’t do that. If we want to win, we have to be broadminded),” she said.

“Sa akin lang kung ganun lagi, mahihirapan tayo. Mahihirapan tayo na wala tayong espasyo para don sa mga hindi eksakto sa paniniwala natin (For me if that’s always the case, it will be hard for us. It wil be hard for us to have no space for those whose beliefs are different from us),” she added.

The former vice president also lamented how some allies sometimes turn on their ranks over minor disagreements, which ultimately undermine their chances of success.

“Ngayon, parang one false move, or one move ng isang kandidato na hindi sang-ayon sa kanila, aawayin (Now, just one false move, or one move of a candidate whom they don’t agree with, they will fight with them),” she pointed out.

Echoing the approach taken by Aquino and Pangilinan, Robredo encouraged supporters to focus on building bridges and broadening their support base in the next three years in preparation for the 2028 elections.

Related Tags

Naga mayor Bam Aquino Leni Robredo Kiko Pangilinan 2025 elections
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