Senator Risa Hontiveros has high hopes for the Senate minority bloc once session reopens in June, expressing confidence that there is now a “fighting chance” for the Senate comeback bids of former senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino.
Former vice president Leni Robredo raises the hands of independent senatorial bets Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan during the People's Campaign kick-off rally in Dasmariñas City, Cavite on Feb. 11, 2025. (Bam Aquino Media Bureau)
During the Kapihan sa Senado on Wednesday, Feb. 26, Hontiveros recognized the tall order before their team.
“May fighting chance si former Senator Kiko Pangilinan at former Senator Bam Aquino (Former Senator Kiko Pangilinan and former Senator Bam Aquino have a fighting chance),” she said.
“Pero talagang paghihirapan namin ito dahil mabigat ang mga nasa ulunan nila sa mga surveys at very, very well-funded 'yung mga nasa paanan nila sa lahat ng surveys (But we will really work hard for this because those on top of them are strong candidates and the ones below them in the surveys are very, very well-funded),” she added.
Even with the challenges looming, the senator said she believes “it will be worth fighting for” not only for Pangilinan and Aquino, but for the people to benefit from the kind of public service they can deliver.
On Wednesday, public opinion research firm WR Numero showed the results for the pre-election preferences for the 2025 senatorial race, with Pangilinan and Aquino on the 11th to 14th rank.
Topping the survey was ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo, followed by Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla, Pia Cayetano, Tito Sotto, Abby Binay, Ben Tulfo, Ping Lacson, Bong Go, Bato Dela Rosa, Manny Pacquiao, and Willie Revillame.
Below Pangilinan and Aquino are Camille Villar, Imee Marcos, Benhur Abalos, and Gringo Honasan.
While Hontiveros has lamented the eventual exit of Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel, whose term will end, she expressed hope that she won’t be left alone in the minority when the 20th Congress opens.
“Yun, ang wish ko, lumaki kami. Kasi naging dalawa kami ngayon (That’s my wish, for us to grow bigger. Because we’re only two now),” she said.
“Wala po akong balak na maging isa lamang dahil sa kinalulungkot ko ng pag-term out ni Senate Minority Leader, Senator Koko Pimentel na namimiss ko na at wish ko lang maging tatlo kami sa susunod na Senate Minority ni Senators Kiko at Bam (I don’t have plans to be by myself because I am already sad that Senate Minority Leader Senator Koko Pimentel will term out and I will miss him so my wish is for Senators Kiko and Bam to join me in the next Senate Minority),” she stressed.
Fisherfolk meet
Meanwhile, Aquino spent the day with the fisherfolk of Brgy. Sampiruhan in Calamba City, Laguna, where he explained to them the importance of good policies and governance that will benefit them, as well as how China’s maritime policies can impact their livelihoods.
Independent senatorial candidate Bam Aquino holds a dialogue with Laguna fishermen. (Bam Aquino Media Bureau)
“Tayo po ngayon puro import. Pag 'yong Tsina po sinara iyong karagatan po natin at puro importation po tayo, ano mangyayari sa atin? Di ba mahihirapan din po tayo (We do a lot of import now. What will happen to us if we import a lot and China decides to close our oceans? Isn’t that going to be difficult for us)?,” he asked the fisherfolk.
Emphasizing the need for the agriculture sector to access government help, the former senator said that they should not be hindered from earning for their families.
“Mahalaga po ang agrikultura, fisheries, at farmers, Iyong tulong ng gobyerno, dapat umaabot sa inyo. Dapat nararamdaman niyo po ang tulong na ‘yan (Agriculture, fisheries, and farmers are important. Government help should reach you. You should benefit from that),” he added.
Aquino is advocating for education and jobs in his run for a Senate seat for the May 2025 midterm polls.