Though the odds may be against senatorial candidates Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan as they face the administration slate  and Duterte-aligned candidates for the coveted Magic 12, but both are confident they can finish the election strong.

Former senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan start their campaign for the May elections with a Mass at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. They are joined by former vice president Leni Robredo. (Photo from Bam Aquino via X post)

Speaking to reporters after a Mass held at the University of the Philippines-Diliman for their proclamation rally later, Aquino shrugged off the latest Pulse Asia survey results that put him on the 15th to 18th position to win a Senate seat.
 

“Well, ano pa yan, maaga pa, friends, first day pa lang. Kung mapapansin nga, ngayon pa lang lumalabas iyong mga volunteers (Well, it’s still early, friends, it’s just the first day. If you will notice, the volunteers are just coming out now),” he said.
 

Alternative, independent
 

“Mula ngayon and for the next 90 days lalabas iyong mga tao at makikita nila na magandang alternatibo si Kiko at si Bam (Starting now and for the next 90 days, volunteers are going to come out and the people will realize that Kiko and Bam are good alternatives),” the former senator added.
 

He likened this campaign to former vice president Leni Robredo’s presidential run in 2022 that saw thousands of volunteers.
 

Both former members of the Liberal Party, Aquino and Pangilinan are now running as independents.
 

For Aquino, this proves that they are only accountable and answerable to the people.
 

“Klaro ang pinapanigan namin ang taumbayan (It is clear that we stand by the people),” he said, adding that the focus of their campaign would be to bring down the food prices, educational reforms, and job creation.
 Senate bet Bam Aquino is joined by his wife, Timi, and their children, Rory and Coco. (Photo from Bam Aquino)

By running as independents, Pangilinan said they carry the lessons—reach out, be open, and invite more supporters—of the past elections.
 

“Huwag aawayin iyong di natin—lalo iyong mga supporters natin na iba ang punto de vista. Sa halip ay kumbinsihin natin, hikayatin natin sila para marami ang ating hanay (Let’s not quarrel with supporters who have different points of view from us. Instead, let’s convince them, persuade them so we’ll increase our number),” the official, who ran as Robredo’s vice president, added.
 

‘Leni magic’
 

Robredo’s pink movement in 2022 drew nearly a million in its final rally in Makati City, filling the stretch of Ayala Avenue and nearby roads.
 

Aquino and Pangilinan hope to emulate it by reactivating the People’s Campaign that powered the former vice president’s campaign.
 

“Yes, in fact, mamaya andun siya sa proclamation rally, commitment naman nya ‘yun. 45 days kasi ang kampanya sa mayoralty race so meron pa siyang oras para tulungan kami bago magumpisa ang kampanya sa Naga (Yes, in fact, she will be there at the proclamation rally, it’s her commitment. The campaign for the mayoralty race is 45 days so she has some time to help up before she starts campaigning in Naga),” Pangilinan shared.
 

Robredo is running as mayor in her hometown of Naga City.
 

“She will be joining us in a number of our activities, events,” the former senator and Robredo’s 2022 vice presidential runningmate added. 

 Mamamayang Liberal Partylist nominees, Teddy Baguilat and Erin Tañada, and Akbayan Partylist nominees, Chel Diokno and Percival Cendaña also attend the Mass to mark the first day of the campaign period. (Photo from Kiko Pangilinan via X post)

While the survey results are not in favor of them yet, Pangilinan likened their senatorial run to a basketball’s game second quarter.
 

“Medyo tinambakan tayo ng first quarter. So, babawi tayo ng second quarter (We lost in the first quarter. So, we are going to make up for it in the second quarter),” he said.
 

“Hanggang sa dulo ay maipapanalo na natin. So, this is a continuation of our—patuloy ng ating simulain ng gobyernong tapat (In the end, we will win. So, this is a continuation of our—a continuation of the honest government we started),” he added.
 

A Pulse Asia survey conducted from Jan. 18 to 25, showed Pangilinan at the 15th to 16th place, while Aquino at the 15th to 18th place, with a 29.1 and 27.4 percent, respectively, of respondents voting for them.
 

Aside from Robredo and the former senators, Mamamayang Liberal Partylist nominees Teddy Baguilat and Erin Tañada, and Akbayan Partylist nominees Chel Diokno and Percival Cendaña attended the Mass.
 

They are also expected to join the proclamation rally at the Dasmariñas Arena in Dasmariñas City, Cavite at 4 p.m. today, Feb. 11.