Bam Aquino

Sen. Bam on the latest Pulse Asia senatorial survey

Dahil sa inyong patuloy na tiwala at suporta ang pananatili ko sa Magic 12 ng Pulse Asia survey.

Magsisilbi itong napakalaking inspirasyon sa ating pag-iikot at pag-abot sa ating mga kababayan upang maipaalam sa kanila ang ating nagawa at patuloy pang gagawin sa Senado para sa kanilang kapakanan.

Mahaba pa ang ating laban at mahalaga ang bawat tulong na ating makukuha upang maipagpatuloy ang ating hangaring maiangat sa laylayan ang mahihirap nating kababayan.

Sen. Bam thanks Senate President Sotto, fellow re-electionist senators for support

Nagpapasalamat tayo sa mga kasama nating re-electionist at kay Senate President Sotto sa tiwala, tulong at suporta. 
 
Taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa suporta nila sa pagsabatas ng libreng kolehiyo. 
 
Dahil po sa ating batas na bunga ng aming pagkakaisa, kahit kapos makakatapos.
 
Ibaiba man po ang aming partido kinabibilangan basta para sa ikakabuti ng bayan, kami po ay nagtutulungan at nagkakaisa.
 
Mahalaga na sa panahon na ito, sa kabila ng pagkakaiba sa politika, kaya nating magkaisa para sa bayan.

Sen. Bam: Independent Senate to safeguard welfare of Filipino people

Sen. Bam Aquino warned against a rubber-stamp Senate, stressing that an independent Upper Chamber will ensure that the welfare and interest of the Filipino people are protected.
 
“Hindi ito kampihan sa administrasyon o oposisyon. Dapat kinakampihan natin ang mga Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam, who is running for re-election under the Otso Diretso banner.
 
“Kailangan po nating tiyakin independent ang susunod na Senado para sa kapakanan ng taumbayan,” added Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam underscored the importance of an opposition in the Senate, saying the country and the Filipino people will suffer if the Upper Chamber will simply give in to every desire of the administration.
 
“Hindi po makakabuti sa bansa kung ang lahat ng nasa Senado ay susunod na lang lagi sa gusto ng administrasyon. Kailangan na may titindig para sa interes ng taumbayan,” Sen. Bam said.
 
In the case of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, Sen. Bam said he voted against its ratification despite the heavy pressure coming from the administration as he is convinced that it will burden the Filipino people with high prices of food and other goods.
 
“Hindi po ako tumutol sa TRAIN Law dahil nasa oposisyon tayo. Tumutol po ako dahil responsibilidad ko na bantayan ang kapakanan ng taumbayan na siyang pahihirapan ng batas na ito,” said Sen. Bam.
 
However, Sen. Bam clarified that he’s willing to work with the administration when the welfare of the Filipino people is at the forefront.
 
Proof of this is the free college law, which Sen. Bam pushed as principal sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress.
 
“Ganyan po ang ginawa natin kaya naisabatas ang Free College Law. Dahil sa pakikipagtulungan, kahit kapos makakatapos,” said Sen. Bam, who has 35 laws to his name in almost six years as legislator.

Sen. Bam: Set aside politics, prioritize welfare of children at risk

Let’s set aside politics and focus first on the welfare of children at risk.

Sen. Bam Aquino issued this call amid the measles outbreak in different parts of the country.

“Tama na po ang turuan at sisihan. Tama na po ang pamumulitika. Unahin po ang mga bata dahil nasa matinding panganib ang ating mga anak,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam made the appeal after the  Department of Health (DOH)  expanded the outbreak declaration to other regions such as Calabarzon, Western Visayas and Central Visayas, in addition to Metro Manila and Central Luzon.

“Kailangan din po tayong matuto sa trahedyang ito na hindi dapat pinupulitika ang kalusugan ng ating mga kabataan,” added Sen. Bam, who called on the government to establish an inter-agency task force that will immediately address the measles outbreak.

The senator said the inter-agency task force should be led by the DOH and joined by other agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

“The inter-agency task force will address the needs of the victims and conduct an aggressive and sustained health promotion drive to get parents to have their kid vaccinated,” said Sen. Bam.

The lawmaker also called on the public to cooperate with the government and help it stop this public menace.

“May mga anak din po ako na bata pa, umaapila po ako sa mga kapwa ko magulang na pabakunahan agad ang ating mga anak,” Sen. Bam said.

Sen. Bam’s bills for startups, scientists and students one signature away from becoming laws

Three measures principally sponsored and/or authored by Sen. Bam Aquino moved closer to becoming laws after their bicameral conference committee reports were ratified by the Senate late Wednesday. 
 
On the last day of regular session, the Senate adopted and ratified the bicameral conference committee report on Senate Bill No. 1532 or the Innovative Startup Act and Senate Bill No. 1534 or the Magna Carta for Scientists.
 
The Senate also ratified the bicameral conference committee report on Senate Bill No. 1597 or the Student Fare Discount Act, which was principally authored by Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam pushed for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1532 as principal author and sponsor and of Senate Bill 1534 as principal sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.
 
The three measures will be transmitted to Malacanang for President Duterte’s signature. 
 
If enacted into law, Senate Bill No. 1532 will provide support to innovative and tech startups, which pertain to businesses that provide unique and relevant solutions to pressing problems, such as transportation, financing, agriculture and healthcare.
 
Under the measure, host agencies, including DOST, DICT and DTI, are authorized to provide subsidies to innovative startups to help defray the costs of business registration, and the use of space, facilities, equipment and other services for their operations. Start ups will also receive subsidies for travel costs related to their participation in local and international start up events and competitions. 
 
In addition, the law creates a Start Up Grant Fund administered by DOST, DICT, and DTI to provide grants-in-aid for research, training, expansion, or scaling up and a Start Up Venture Fund administers by DTI to fund match investments in start ups by investors.
 
Senate Bill No. 1534 eyes to remove set limits on additional honoraria sourced from externally funded grants for S&T professions and foster ease in accessing benefits for S&T personnel in departments and agencies other than the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
 
“Malaking tulong ang dalawang panukalang ito upang lalo pang mapalakas ang sektor ng Science and Technology at para mabigyan ng tamang suporta ang entrepreneurs na may hatid na solusyon sa mga problema sa bansa,” said Sen. Bam.
 
Senate Bill No. 1597, for its part, grants mandatory 20-percent fare discounts to students on all land, air and water transportation, even during weekends and holidays.
 
In almost six years as lawmaker, Sen. Bam has 35 laws to his name, including the landmark free college law and the Go Negosyo Act.

Sen. Bam: Ensure enough funds for BOL transition

Sen. Bam Aquino called on fellow lawmakers to allot enough funds for the full implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to ensure the fulfilment of its mandate to bring peace and order in Mindanao.

“Dapat tiyakin na sapat at hindi kulang ang suporta para sa BOL,” said Sen. Bam, a co-author and co-sponsor of the BOL.

“Ang tagal na nitong pinangarap at inilaban ng mga kapatid nating Moro. Dapat hindi mabinbin ang transition dahil sa kakulangan ng budget,” added Sen. Bam, whose mother grew up in Mindanao, particularly Davao City.

Republic Act 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law mandates that the current appropriation for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) shall be transferred to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

Sen. Bam said the ARMM’s 2019 approved budget of P31.1 billion won’t be enough as the transition to BOL needs around P59 billion. 

The Senate version of the 2019 budget has allotted around P30 billion additional budget for the BOL, which Sen. Bam hopes to hurdle the bicameral conference committee.

If there will be a re-enacted budget for 2019, the President can issue a supplemental budget, subject to the certification of the Treasurer of the Philippines that there’s enough fund for the purpose.

“Sayang naman kung hindi natin bibigyan ng tamang pondo ang BOL. Itodo na natin ang suporta upang maabot na ng mga kababayan natin sa Mindanao ang inaasam nilang kapayapaan at kaunlaran,” said Sen. Bam.

“Kinakailangan ang sapat na budget para makalikha ng iba’t ibang trabaho para sa mga kababayan natin doon,” the senator added.

Sen. Bam: Don’t leave teachers hanging

The hard work and invaluable contribution of public school teachers should be properly recognized as they are essential to the success of the 2019 elections, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Dapat bigyang halaga ang pagsisikap at paghihirap ng mga teacher sa halalan. Sa totoo lang po, sila ang tunay na bayani ng darating na eleksyon,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam issued the statement after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned that teachers who will serve in the 2019 elections won’t receive their honoraria in case of a re-enacted budget in 2019.

Sen. Bam, vice chairman of the Committee on Finance and member of the Senate bicameral conference committee on the proposed 2019 budget, said Congress is determined to pass the General Appropriations Act next week.

In case of a re-enacted budget in 2019, Sen. Bam said Congress can pass a supplemental budget for the payment of the teachers’ honorarium.

“Gagawin natin ang lahat para masigurong mababayaran ang ating mga guro sa kanilang trabaho sa darating na halalan. Biyan natin sila ng karampatang pagkilala at huwag ibitin ang mga kompensasyon at benepisyong itinakda ng batas para sa kanila,” said Sen. Bam.

“Sayang naman ang batas na ating isinulong kung hindi mapakikinabangan ng mga guro,” Sen. Bam added, referring to Republic Act 10756 or the Election Service Reform Act (ESRA) that he pushed as principal author in the 16th Congress.

The law increases the honorarium and other election service benefits and makes election service optional for public school teachers. It also increases honoraria for board of election inspector (BEI) and their support staff.

Under the law, compensation for BEI chairman will be increased to P6,000 from P3,000 while BEI members will receive P5,000 from P3,000.

From P3,000, DepEd supervisor/official will earn P4,000 while support staff will receive P2,000 from P1,500.

The teachers and all persons who rendered election service would also be entitled to a travel allowance of P1,000 each.

All government officials and employees serving as members of the electoral boards, DepEd supervisor/official and support staff will be given five days of service credit.

The ESRA also increases the death benefits from P200,000 to P500,000 and the medical assistance in such amount as may be “sufficient to cover for medical and hospitalization expenses until recovery” of injuries sustained while in the performance of election duties.

Sen. Bam breaks into top 12 in SWS survey

Sen. Bam Aquino improved significantly in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, climbing to 11thspot from 14th place in December.

Sen. Bam garnered 33 percent, up from 24 percent last month, in the SWS survey conducted from January 23 to 26, 2019.

The SWS survey marked the second straight time that Sen. Bam made it to the top 12.  The incumbent senator placed 10th to 16th in the Pulse Asia poll conducted from Dec. 14 to 21, with 32.6 percent.

In a statement, Sen. Bam thanked his supporters for his significant improvement in the SWS poll, but stressed that the fight still has a long way to go.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa mga patuloy na nagtitiwala at sumusuporta sa atin. Subalit mahaba pa po ang ating laban na ating susuungin,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam also underscored the importance of scrutinizing the track record and accomplishments of all the candidates so they select the right candidate in the 2019 elections.

“Mahalagang suriin ng ating mga botante ang mga nagawa ng isang kandidato upang mapili nila ang tamang tao na titingin sa kanilang kapakanan,” added Sen. Bam.

In almost six years as lawmaker, Sen. Bam has 35 laws to his name, including the landmark free college law and the Go Negosyo Act.

Sen. Bam: Protect BPOs to secure jobs of Filipinos, livelihood of families

A senator reiterated the need to guard the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector from external and internal threats that may lead to loss of livelihood for thousands of Filipinos and their families.

“Libu-libong Pilipino at kanilang pamilya ang babalik sa kahirapan kung hindi natin poprotektahan ang BPO sector laban sa mga banta na maaaring makaapekto rito,” Sen. Bam Aquino said in his speech during the inauguration of the Global Payments Inc. office in Mandaluyong City.

As chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology, Sen. Bam has conducted hearings to look into and craft solutions for the threats that affect the BPO sector, most especially artificial intelligence (AI).

Sen. Bam also committed to block provisions in the second package of the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law that could affect the employment of thousands of Filipino workers in the BPO sector.

In his speech, Sen. Bam also renewed his commitment to help BPO companies through legislation to enable them to expand and provide more employment to Filipinos.

“We hope that we make it easier for you to do business here, we make it profitable for you to do business here so in turn you can provide jobs our countrymen need,” Sen. Bam said.

Sen. Bam underscored the need to support the BPO sector as any slowdown in the industry could lead to loss of jobs for thousands of Filipinos.

“More centers that open up, more centers to expand means more families will partake in the gains that our economy is currently experiencing. We’re here to make sure that this industry will continue to grow,” added Sen. Bam.

Recently, Sen. Bam was recognized as BPO champion by the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) for his contribution to develop and strengthen IT and BPO sector through legislation.

The IBPAP presented Sen. Bam with the IBPAP-PLDT Azure Flare For Industry Luminary award during the IBPAP Flare Awards 2018.

Sen. Bam Aquino’s Keynote Speech during the TAYO 16 Awards Ceremony

23 January 2019

 

Maraming salamat, palakpakan po natin si Pepot Vinta.

 

Alam niyo po, every year sa TAYO, para tayong nagre-reunion na mga magkakaibigan. Ang problema lang, ang mga youth leaders parang hindi tumatanda pero kaming mga organizers lang ang tumatanda. 

 

The first time that I’ve met Pepot was TAYO3. TAYO 6 was also the first year that Coke became part of the family. San Miguel became part of the family about 6-7 years ago also. Smart has also been part of our family through the years. And of course our friends from Jollibee, Ayala, and Lenovo are also here with us. 

 

Round of applause for our sponsors! Maraming maraming salamat sa inyo. Pero ang pinakamlakas na palakpakan, ibigay natin para sa ating mga TAYO finalists. 

 

Congratulations for being here and thank you for making our country better. 

 

Thank you for giving us a healthy dose of positivity and inspiration, especially this week. Lalo na ngayon na pinag-uusapan ang pagbibilanggo ng batang Pilipinong siyam na taon lamang. Thank you for providing us an alternative story for all of us today. 

 

Kayo ang paalala at pruweba na ang kapag may tamang gabay at oportunidad ang kabataan, kayo mismo ang magsisigurado na aasenso ang Pilipinas, at aasenso ang bawat Pilipino.

 

Kaya maraming salamat sa inyo! It is an honor to be here speaking to such accomplished and passionate young men and women who have done so much for our country.

 

Yung tanong ko lang… Ano pa ba ang maibabahagi namin sa inyo?

 

Sa totoo lang, lahat naman mahahanap niyo na sa internet. Ano pa ba ang laban natin sa world wide web?

 

Kung gusto natin ng pinaka-magagaling na speech, maghahanap lang tayo sa TED Talks, naroon din ang mga paburito niyong kanta at TV shows, mga lifehacks, pati photos at IG stories ng crush niyo – lahat na ay mahahanap online at sa social media.

 

But while the internet has opened up our world to so much content and possibilities, we also know that the internet and social media has a dark side.

 

Napansin siguro natin in the past few years, habang dumadami ang mga life halks, nakakatawang kuwento, at mga inspirational stories, dumadami rin ang mga nakikita nating negatibo sa internet. 

 

Actually po, namimiss ko na yung 4 to 5 years ago. Dahil 4 to 5 years ago, ang mga trolls ko noon ay mga masasayang trolls. Hindi mga galit na troll. Ang ginagawa nila dati, pinapalitan nila ang Wikipedia Page ko ng kung anu-anong nakakaaliw na kuwento.

 

One time, sinabi nilang ako’y isang Ninja Turtle. Ginawa na rin nila akong hip-hop dancer, master-twerker, at kung anu-ano pa. And honestly, we didn’t feel that bad about it kasi it was all done in good rumor. 

 

Unfortunately these days, grabe na ang social media. Grabe at dumami na rin ang fake news at paninira. Ang pinakamasama na dito ay noong tinawag akong terorista.

 

Pero sa totoo lang, hindi lang yan nangyayari sa mga taong nasa pulitika. Alam natin na ang ating mga kabataan ngayon, marami na ring hinaharap na negativity sa kanilang buhay. Nandyan ang mga nagsasabing: 

Hindi mo kaya!

Kalokohan ‘yan!

Wala kaming pake sa ginagawa mo!

 

In fact, just the other night nung nagdinner kami, I found out that a number of our finalists focus on mental health of the youth. Dahil napaka-grabe na ang sitwasyon ng marami nating kabataan pagdating sa kanilang mental health. 

 

I was so shocked to find out that in one of our finalists pools, in one batch that they were helping students in, more than 10% had actually tried to commit suicide. 

 

Itong negativity at napakasamang mga boses na umiiral sa ating buhay at sa online world ay talagang napakasama at kailangang labanan. 

 

But, dear friends, we cannot allow these voices to win. We cannot allow these voices to get even louder!

 

Kailangan nating isigaw at patunayan na “Kaya Natin!”

Para sa atin at sa ating mga pamilya, para sa bayan “Kakayanin Natin!”

 

Holding on to this voice of hope, especially through times of adversity, is what will make all the difference in our lives.

 

Which is why I want to share with you the story of Geraldine. 

 

Nakilala ko si Geraldine noong bumisita ang aming Libreng Kolehiyo Caravan sa Iloilo.

 

Si Geraldine ay pangatlo sa labing isang anak. At mahirap ang kanilang pamilya. 

Dahil dito, mababa ang tingin sa kanila ng kanilang mga kamag-anak. Hindi na daw sila aasenso.

 

Dahil sa hirap ng buhay, noong nag-graduate si Geraldine ng High School, namasukan muna siya sa kaniyang tiyahin.

 

Sabi ng tiyahin niya na papaaralin siya sa kolehiyo kaya umasa si Geraldine. Pero imbis na paaralin, pinagtrabaho lang siya.

 

Kaya umalis si Geraldine at nakahanap ng trabaho bilang mananahi ng mga bag. Sa kita niya, nakapag-enrol siya sa kolehiyo!

 

Pero noong kapos at kinailangan niyang umutang, hindi siya pinautang ng kaniyang amo at hindi rin siya pinautang ng kaniyang mga kaklase. Kaya ang ginagawa niya ay lumalabas siya sa kanyang eskwelahan, nagpupuyat, at bumabalik sa mga factory ng bag at ginagalingan upang makaipon at makabalik sa eskwelahan. 

 

Buti na lang, hindi nagpatalo si Geraldine sa mga boses na nega at nagsasabing:

Hindi mo kaya!

Kalokohan ‘yang pangarap mong makapag-college!

At wala kaming pake sa iyong sitwasyon!

 

Ngayon, 3rd year college na siya at ginagawa na nila ang kanilang thesis! Mas may oras na siya na mag-aral dahil Libre na ang Kolehiyo sa kanyang eskwelahan sa Iloilo! Ang dating 10,000 pesos per semester na kanyang kinakayod sa mga factory ng mga bag, ngayon ay libre na.

 

Kaya nakita natin kay Geraldine na hindi siya nagpatalo. Hindi nagpatinag at tuloy-tuloy niyang inabot ang kanyang pangarap. Sa tulong ng libreng kolehiyo, I am sure na by next year, g-graduate na siya at makakamit ang kanyang pangarap. 

 

Noong naging Chairman tayo ng Committee on Education, naisipan namin ng aming oposina na gawing prayoridad ang Libreng Kolehiyo at itrabaho ang pagpasa nito sa Senado.

Kahit noon, maraming nagsasabi na hindi kaya iyan:

“30 years na yan tinatrabaho sa senado, walang makapasa-pasa ng batas na yan”

“Masyado ka pang bata para makapagpasa ng napakalaking reporma.”

 

Napakaraming mga negatibong bagay ang binato sa amin. Pero hindi kami nagpatinag. Hindi kami nagpatalo. 

Hindi ko na lang po sasabihin kung sinu-sino, pero marami ang kumontra sa repormang ito. Ang pangunahin nilang sinasabi ay kapag libre na ang edukasyon, hindi na pahahalagahan ng kabataan ang kanilang edukasyon. Na alam naman naming hindi totoo dahil sa kuwento ni Geraldine at libu-libo pang mga kabataan na naghahangad na makapagtapos sa ating bayan.

 

Every step of the legislative process had a challenge. And until the last moment – kahit noong nasa Malacanang na at nagaantay ng pirma ng pangulo, may mga balita pa rin na ive-veto ito. 

 

Buti na lang malakas ang positivity! Hindi lang ng aming opisina, pero pati na rin ng milyun-milyong naghangad na maging batas ang repormang ito. 

 

Ang lagi naming sinisigaw: ‘Tuloy ang laban! Para sa bayan!”

 

Hanggang ngayon, kahit malakas ang boses ng paninira sa batas na ito, tinatrabaho pa rin namin sa Senado ang napakahalagang reporma na ito. Kaya sama-sama naming sinasabi na “Kaya natin at kakayanin pa natin to.”

 

Dear friends, when we sift through stories of revolutionaries and change-makers, we find that there were always critics and there were always naysayers. People who will say that you can’t do it. 

 

But the inner voice of optimism can triumph and shine through!

If Bill Gates gave up after his previous business ventures failed, we may never have had “a computer in every home.” If Steve Jobs gave up whenever his ideas were shot down, we wouldn’t have “a computer in every pocket.”

 

If Mahatma Gandhi gave up those countless times he was thrown in jail, we would never have known the power of non-violence.  If Cory Aquino believed those that said a housewife could never be president, who knows if we would have freedom and democracy today.

 

They had the willpower and a strong, hopeful voices that cut through the criticism and negative chatter to drive revolutions, drive reforms, and ultimately, create change that we want to see in our world.

 

Like them, we need to strengthen our inner voice that says, “Kaya natin! Kakayanin natin!”

 

Pero sa panahon natin ngayon, hindi na sapat ‘yun. It is simply not enough. With social media and all the negativity in our society these days, sometimes that voice can easily be overwhelmed. 

What’s the challenge for us today? Especially to the TAYO finalists? 

 

Kailan nating magtulungan. Kailan nating suportahan ang isa’t isa. We need to be that voice for others as well. 

In these times, it is not enough to strengthen our inner voice. We are called to be that voice for others. We are challenged to support each other, to support those who are doing well for our country amidst all of those voices that seek to bring us down. 

 

We need to be that voice of understanding for those who have known nothing but judgment.

 

And be that voice of confidence for those that have known nothing but disappointment.

 

Be that voice of inspiration for those who are paralized by their failures.

 

We are called to speak up, for them, and not remain silent. We are called to silence the hopeless and hateful voices that weigh so heavy on the shoulders of our young countrymen!

 

As we step out of this room and back into the dim world of critics, skeptics, and defeatists, let us become the loudest voices of inspiration.

 

Let’s use our stories of hope to weave a more joyful, more passionate, more productive Philippines!

 

Maraming salamat at magandang umaga para sa inyong lahat.

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