Month: April 2019

Sen. Bam lone opposition in Magic 12 of Pulse Asia survey, makes it to winners’ circle in 3 other major polls

Re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino was the lone opposition in the Magic 12 of the latest Pulse Asia survey and made it to the winners’ circle in three other major pre-election polls less than two weeks before the May 13 elections.

In the latest Pulse Asia survey conducted from April 10 to 14, Sen. Bam landed in a share of 10th-14th spots, with 28.8 percent. This was an improvement for Sen. Bam as he finished in a tie for 11th to 16th places in last month’s Pulse Asia survey.

In Publicus Asia’s #PAHAYAGNationwide poll conducted from April 21-22, 2019 with 2,000 registered voters as respondents, Sen. Bam landed in a tie for 5th to 11th spots. Sen. Bam made it to the Magic 12 of other pre-election surveys conducted by Laylo (9th to 11th spots) and TNS (7th to 13th places).

In a statement, Sen. Bam thanked the people, especially the volunteers, for their trust and confidence that serve as his inspiration during the campaign.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako dahil dumarami ang naniniwala, nakikiisa at tumutugon. Salamat po mga mga matatapang at matitiyagang tumutulong sa atin na laging buo ang loob at walang pagod,” said Sen. Bam.

“Itong buong kampanya, idinulog ko po sa ating mga kababayan ang mga tinrabaho natin sa Senado tulad ng pagsasabatas ng Libreng Kolehiyo at ibinahagi ang mga dapat pang gawin para makatulong sa mga nangangailangan,” he added.

If he wins a second term, Sen. Bam has promised to work for the passage of his Trabaho Center Bill, which seeks to establish Trabaho Centers or job placement offices in public high schools and state universities and colleges (SUCs) to help solve the prevalent problem of jobs mismatch and high unemployment rate in the country.

Major party list groups endorse Sen. Bam’s candidacy

Various major party list organizations have endorsed the candidacy of Sen. Bam Aquino, giving his re-election bid a huge lift with the May elections approaching.

Bayan Muna, Akbayan, Ako Bicol, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan, Katribu, Migrante, Akap-Bata, Confederation for Unity Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) and Piston all expressed their support for Sen. Bam for his solid track record in helping the basic sectors of society

Other party list groups, such as Kalikasan Aking Bikolnon, APPEND, TUCP, ABONO, Magdalo and Barangay Health Workers (BHW) Party List has committed to back Sen. Bam’s re-election bid.

 “Nagpapasalamat tayo sa pagbuhos ng suporta mula sa iba’t ibang grupo bilang pagkilala sa ating mga nagawa sa ating unang termino sa Senado,” said Sen. Bam.

“Napakahalaga ng kanilang tulong upang mabigyan tayo ng pagkakataong makabalik para sa ikalawang termino kung saan tututukan natin ang paglikha ng trabaho,” he added.

If he wins a second term, Sen. Bam has committed to work for the passage of his Trabaho Center Bill, which will help solve the problem of jobs mismatch and high unemployment rate in the country.

The measure seeks to establish Trabaho Centers or job placement offices in public high schools and state universities and colleges (SUCs). The Trabaho Center will provide services such as Industry matching, career counseling, and employment facilitation.

“Sa tulong ng Trabaho Centers, pagtatagpuin ang mga kompanya na naghahanap ng trabaho at mga estudyanteng naghahanap ng trabaho,” said Sen. Bam, adding that it is the next best necessary reform after the Free College Law, which he passed as principal sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Education.

MFI NGOs back Sen. Bam’s candidacy for his work in strengthening sector

An overwhelming number of microfinance non-government organizations (MFI NGOs) want re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino back in the Senate for his solid track record in helping the sector develop and expand their capacity to extend assistance to more Filipinos.

SEDP-Simbag sa Pag-asenso, Inc., led by its president and CEO Fr. Jovic Lobrigo, was among the first to express support behind Sen. Bam, saying he was instrumental in passing Republic Act 10693 or the Microfinance NGOs Act benefiting millions of women and their families.

“Praying that he can continue his work in the Senate,” the group said in a statement posted on Facebook. 

Eduardo Jimenez, president of Kabalikat para sa Maunlad na Buhay, Inc. (KMBI), promised to definitely vote and campaign for Sen. Bam, who, he said, collaborated and supported microfinance players even before becoming a senator.

Jimenez added that Sen. Bam’s RA 10693 supported and strengthened the work of MFI NGOs that ultimately helped micro-entrepreneurs in the country.

Mercy Abad, president of Ahon sa Hirap, Inc (ASHI), said Sen. Bam has done a lot for the “common tao”, adding that the Microfinance NGOs Act has “helped our sector serve thousands of families.” 

“We in the microfinance industry cannot thank him enough for what he has done to assist us in our work,” said Abad, believing that the country needs leaders like Sen. Bam in the Senate.

“Intelligent, with integrity (naku sigurado kayong hindi kurakot), fearless, and hard working for our country, especially for the poor. Please include him in your vote,” added Abad.

Gomby Maramba, manager for Research and Development of the Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, also expressed gratitude to Sen. Bam for pushing for the passage of RA No. 10693 as principal sponsor and co-author. 

“The impact of this bill is huge for the over seven million microfinance clients and their families in the Philippines,” said Maramba.

“It allowed us to continue with our non-financial services and at the same time, all microfinance NGOs are now regulated to better serve its clients,” he added.

The law sets performance standards and provides preferential tax treatment for MFI NGOs to enable them to continue to operate and serve poor Filipino communities through financing, financial literacy, livelihood, and entrepreneurship training.

Aside from the MFI NGOs Act, Sen. Bam pushed for the passage of other laws for the development of micro, small and medium enterprises, such as the Go Negosyo Act, Youth Entrepreneurship Act, Credit Surety Act and the Personal Property Security Act.

Sen. Bam welcomes CHED’s move to go after SUCs collecting miscellaneous fees

Re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino welcomed the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) promise to go after state universities and colleges (SUCs) that still collect miscellaneous fees.

“Sa ating pag-iikot, nakakarinig tayo na maraming SUCs ang nangongolekta pa rin ng miscellaneous fees kahit mayroon nang batas na nagbabawal dito,” said Sen. Bam, principal sponsor of Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

“Natutuwa tayo sa pagkilos ng CHED na habulin ang mga SUC na lumalabag sa batas na dapat sana’y napakikinabangan na nang buo ng ating mga estudyante,” added Sen. Bam.

Earlier, CHED chairperson Prospero de Vera promised to crack down on universities on going beyond than what they are allowed under the Free College Law.

Based on the Free College Law, SUC students are free from tuition and other miscellaneous fees, such as library, computer, laboratory, school ID, athletic, admission, development, handbook, guidance, entrance, registration, medical, dental and cultural fees.

“Dapat matupad ang intensiyon ng batas na hindi na dapat naglalabas ng kahit isang sentimo ang mga magulang at estudyante para sa tuition at miscellaneous,” Sen. Bam stressed.

If he wins a second term, Sen. Bam has also committed to work for affordable internship for college students, especially those taking up hotel and restaurant management (HRM) and nursing.

“Iyong mga on-the-job fee, lalo na sa kursong HRM at nursing, napakataas talaga. Binabayaran kasi ito hindi sa school ngunit sa third party. Isasama namin ito sa mga gagawin natin sa Senado,” said Sen. Bam during his recent visit to Ozamis City.

According to Sen. Bam, he already had initial talks with CHED about the issue of affordable internship during the agency’s budget deliberation in the Senate.

“Ang gusto ko sana, although hindi pa ito implemented, may internships na libre. Choice na ng estudyante kung gusto nila yung internships na mas mahal sa ibang bansa,” Sen. Bam explained.

Sen. Bam promised to craft a measure that will lower cost of internship in private and public colleges and universities.

“Libre na ang tuition at may scholarships pa, pero kung mahal naman ang internship, hindi natutupad ang pangako ng abot-kayang pagtatapos,” Sen. Bam pointed out.

Major transport group endorses Sen. Bam’s re-election bid

A major transport organization in the country has named re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino as its lone senatorial candidate to support in the May 13 elections.

During its Monday’s meeting, the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), led by its national president Efren De Luna, formally announced the group’s full support behind Sen. Bam.

“Sa Mayo a-trese, wala po tayong ibang ilalagay kundi Bam Aquino, ibalik sa Senado,” said De Luna as he and other ACTO officials raised the hands of Sen. Bam to make the group’s endorsement official.

“Sa pamamagitan ni Sen. Bam Aquino, palaging bukas ang Senado para iparating ang ating mga problema,” added De Luna.

According to De Luna, Sen. Bam’s endorsement was approved by around 475,000 ACTO officials and members nationwide from different modes of transportation.

In his speech, Sen. Bam thanked ACTO officials and members for their trust, saying the group’s support will serve as huge boost in his bid for a second term.

“Malaking tulong ang suportang ito ng ACTO para maipagpatuloy natin ang ating partnership sa Senado,” said Sen. Bam, assuring that he will continue to serve as the transport sector’s voice in the Upper Chamber.

Sen. Bam filed a public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization bill with the support of ACTO, National Confederation of Transport Union (NCTU), Sentro, and Philippine Advocates for Transport Convergence.

In his Senate Bill No. 2056, Sen. Bam seeks to make jeepneys safer and more efficient for commuters and the environment, while ensuring the livelihood of drivers and their families.

“Kung gusto talaga natin ng modernisasyon, dapat makatarungan ito at abot-kaya para sa ating mga driver para hindi sila mawalan ng kabuhayan,” said Sen. Bam during his speech.

“Hindi dapat maapektuhan ang ating mga kabuhayan ng mga polisiya na hindi naman pinag-aralan nang husto. Naririto ako para bantayan at protektahan ang inyong hanapbuhay sa Senado,” he added.

Before the event, Sen. Bam joined pedicab, tricycle, and motorbike riders in a short walk to the venue.

Earlier, the NCTU also expressed full support behind the re-election bid of Sen. Bam, whom they consider as a dependable ally against the government’s oppressive modernization plan.

Sen. Bam: Trabaho Center Bill to help ease burden of finding employment

The Trabaho Center Bill filed by re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino will help ease the burden and struggles of looking for employment once it is enacted into law.


“Pagkatapos ng ilang taong pag-aaral, panibagong kalbaryo naman ang susuungin ng ating mga estudyante para makahanap ng trabaho at makatulong sa kanilang pamilya,” said Sen. Bam.


“Sa tulong ng Trabaho Center Bill, masosolusyunan na ang mahirap, matagal at magastos na proseso ng paghahanap ng trabaho,” said Sen. Bam, author of Senate Bill No. 1278 or the Trabaho Center Bill.


According to Sen. Bam, the bill aims to solve the prevalent problem of jobs mismatch and high unemployment rate in the country.
The measure seeks to establish Trabaho Centers or job placement offices in public high schools and state universities and colleges (SUCs).


The Trabaho Center will provide services such as Industry matching, career counseling, and employment facilitation.
“Sa tulong ng Trabaho Centers, pagtatagpuin ang mga kompanya na naghahanap ng trabaho at mga estudyanteng naghahanap ng trabaho,” said Sen. Bam.


To ensure employability of students upon graduation, the Trabaho Center will gather feedback from employers to better develop the school’s curriculum and training programs.


The senator described the Trabaho Center Bill as the next step to ensure employment for all graduates who benefitted from the Free College Law, which he pushed as principal sponsor.


“Itodo na natin ang tulong sa mga estudyanteng nakinabang sa libreng kolehiyo sa pamamagitan ng pagtiyak na mayroon silang magandang trabaho pagtanggap nila ng diploma,” said Sen. Bam.

Labor group calls Sen. Bam as workers’ ally in the Senate, backs his re-election bid

Support from different sectoral groups continues to pour in for the re-election bid of Sen. Bam Aquino, this time coming from a labor organization representing workers from the public and private sectors.

In its 17th General Assembly on Saturday, the Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa or SENTRO declared its full backing for Sen. Bam for being a reliable partner when it comes to workers’ welfare in the Senate.

“Noon pa man, tumutulong na si Sen. Bam sa mga isyung may kinalaman sa ating mga manggagawa at sa sektor ng transportasyon,” said Josua Mata, secretary general of SENTRO.

According to Mata, Sen. Bam was the only senator who listened to SENTRO’s suggestion on the modernization of private utility jeepneys (PUJs) and worked closely with the group in the crafting of the Security of Tenure Bill.

During the event, Sen. Bam also signed a memorandum of agreement with SENTRO, represented by its chairperson Daniel Edralin, committing to work for the betterment of the workers and the transport sector.

In his speech, Sen. Bam said he filed Senate Bill No. 2056 or the “Makatarungang Transisyon Tungo sa Modernisasyon” with the support from SENTRO and other transport organizations, such as the National Confederation of Transportworkers Union (NCTU), ACTO, and Philippine Advocates for Transport Convergence.

The measure aims to make jeepneys safer and more efficient for commuters and the environment, while ensuring the livelihood of drivers and their families.

“Inihain natin ang nasabing panukala nang malaman nating malaking isyu sa transport sector ang pinaplanong PUV modernization ng gobyerno na posibleng mauwi sa pagkawala ng kanilang kabuhayan,” said Sen. Bam.

In 2016, Sen. Bam worked closely with SENTRO before filing Senate Bill No. 174 or the Security of Tenure Bill, which is aimed at ending the practice of contractualization in the country.

If he wins a second term, Sen. Bam promised to push for the passage of the Security of Tenure Bill and other labor-related measures.

“Dapat sa 18th Congress, maipasa na ang Security of Tenure Bill. Na-file na po natin ang panukalang ito noong June 2016,” said Sen. Bam, a co-author and co-sponsor of the Security of Tenure Bill.

SENTRO’s expression of support came after NCTU, one of the biggest transport groups in the country, and Barangay Health Workers (BHW) from different parts of the country backed Sen. Bam’s candidacy.

Barangay health workers pledge full support for Sen. Bam

Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) from across the country have thrown their full support behind the re-election bid of Sen. Bam Aquino as they believe in his track record in helping the basic sectors of society.

In a manifesto signed during its meeting in Legazpi City, the Barangay Health Workers (BHW) Party List said Sen. Bam will help push its proposals for the betterment of the sector it represents. The meeting was attended by around 400 to 500 BHWs.

“We firmly believe that Sen. Bam Aquino, whose ideals are for the betterment of the Filipino people, shall specifically champion these special concerns in the Upper House,” the group said in its manifesto.

“In order for him to champion this cause, we are signifying our utmost support by giving him our solid vote this coming May 13, 2019 Senatorial Elections,” it added.

The support from BHWs adds to the list of different sectors, like the transportation sector, signifying support for Sen. Bam, citing his important role in the Senate in advancing sectoral interest.

Among the advocacies being pushed by BHW Party List is the capacity building for BHWs through training and workshop for them to effectively exercise their duties.

Also, the party list is pushing for sufficient financial empowerment for BHWs such as monthly honorarium through the Department of Health (DOH), Philhealth coverage and pension plan.

The group also pushes for the implementation of the benefits under Republic Act No. 7883 or the Act Granting Benefits and Incentives to Accredited Barangay Health Workers and security of tenure for BHWs.

For his part, Sen. Bam recognized the important role of BHWs play in keeping communities healthy, adding they should be given the proper compensation and other benefits for their efforts.

“Isa sa mga kinikilala natin na mga bayani ay ang ating masisipag na Baranggay Health Workers,” said Sen. Bam, underscoring their role in the dissemination of health-related information in the communities.

“Importante sila sa pagpapalaganap ng mga impormasyon para sa kalusugan,” added Sen. Bam, who filed Senate Bill No. 700 or the “Support for Barangay Workers Act”, which provide assistance to BHWs and barangay tanod.

The measure calls for the payment of honoraria, Philhealth coverage and free legal service through government lawyers for BHWs.

Sen. Bam’s re-election bid gets boost from major transport group

The re-election bid of Sen. Bam Aquino received a major boost with the endorsement from one of the major transport organizations in the country.

In their meeting in Lipa, Batangas, the National Confederation of Transportworkers Union (NCTU) expressed full support behind Sen. Bam, whom they consider as a dependable ally against the government’s oppressive modernization plan and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

“Malaking bagay ang pag-endorso ng NCTU, na isang malaking grupo ng transport sector. Kasama natin sila sa paglaban sa TRAIN Law at nag-file din kami ng makatarungang modernization bill na mula mismo sa kanilang sektor,” said Sen. Bam.

In his speech, Sen. Bam renewed his commitment to work for the removal of excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law and push for the passage of an acceptable modernization bill for the transport sector.

Earlier, Sen. Bam filed a public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization bill with the support from NCTU, Sentro, ACTO, and Philippine Advocates for Transport Convergence.

In his Senate Bill No. 2056, Sen. Bam seeks to make jeepneys safer and more efficient for commuters and the environment, while ensuring the livelihood of drivers and their families.

“Hindi sila tutol sa modernisasyon. Ang tanging gusto nila ay modernisasyon na walang matatanggalan ng hanapbuhay, walang maiipit at mapeperhuwisyo na mga nagmamaneho ng jeep na nagtatrabaho para sa kanilang pamilya,” said Sen. Bam.

If passed into law, jeepneys will be tested based on road-worthiness and financial assistance will be given to owners who need to upgrade their jeepneys. Drivers that wish to shift careers will also be given sufficient compensation.

“Kapag naisabatas ang panukalang ito, magkakaroon tayo ng modernisasyon na katanggap-tanggap sa transport sector at sa mga mananakay,” he said.

Sen. Bam backs education reform agenda of teachers’ group, eyes more assistance for educators

Re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino  has committed to push for the welfare of the education sector, including salary increase to teachers and other education support personnel in public and private educational institutions.

Sen. Bam underscored his support by agreeing to a pledge of commitment with the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT).  The senator was represented by his policy head Paola Deles while Joselyn Martinez signed in behalf of ACT as its national chairperson.

“Kasama tayo ng ACT sa isinusulong nilang mga reporma sa sektor ng edukasyon, kabilang na ang dagdag na benepisyo sa ating mga guro na napakalaki ng papel na ginagampanan sa pagpapalago ng lipunan,” said Sen. Bam, vice chairman of the Committee on Education.

Aside from the salary increase for teachers, Sen. Bam has promised to work with ACT for the improvement of the benefits package to secure the welfare of education workers and to ensure the sufficient fund for free education in all levels.

The two sides also agreed to work together to review of the education curriculum to make it attuned to the present needs and ensure the full exercise of rights of education workers.

During his time as chairman of the Committee on Education, Sen. Bam worked with ACT in the crafting of the Free College Law, which he pushed as principal sponsor.

“Ang pagpasa ng batas sa libreng kolehiyo ay una pa lang sa mga reporma na nais nating isulong. Kapag tayo’y nakabalik sa Senado, uunahin natin ang dagdag na benepisyo ng ating mga guro,” said Sen. Bam.

As part of the Makabayan bloc, ACT is one of the groups that expressed support behind the candidacy of Sen. Bam.

Earlier, Sen. Bam has committed to pursue the passage of his Trabaho Center Bill that will help ensure job availability for K-12 and college students once they receive their diploma.

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