Bam Aquino inspired by family to seek Senate seat

PRESIDENTIAL cousin and senatorial bet Benigno "Bam" Aquino said it is his family (Aquino) that served as his inspiration to seek election in the coming 2013 polls.

The political dynasty issue apparently loses its bearing on his candidacy, citing his definition of it as "a family in politics with vested interests."

"If you look at the track record of the Aquinos, we don't have business and territory to protect. I have relatives in government who gave their lives for the country. Tita Cory is an example of a leader who really lived simply and did her best for the country. For me, it is not negative having a family who serve and have served the government," he said.

He said they are his inspiration and they continued to be his inspiration.

He also said that there are political families that do not deserve to stay or be in government, adding that the people now have the capability to know who deserve to stay and those who do not.

"We owe it to our electorate to trust them that they can still choose and decide to vote properly and wisely as they did in 2010 for PNOY when they voted them in for his good governance thrust and hoping that they will still choose the same way of choosing their candidates," he said.

He said he is in favor of finally defining the Anti-Dynasty bill.

Under the version of Senator Mirriam Defensor Santiago, the prohibition on the Anti-Dynasty bill is on parents and siblings.

"If that is the bill, and if that was passed, somebody like me who is cousin would have no problem running. It actually makes it easier for those who want to serve in government to serve if the bill is already defined," he said.

It is time to define it to determine those who are allowed to serve and those who are not.

Since the bill is not yet there and it is not defined, those who want to serve can be allowed to serve and join the government's process.

Being an Aquino has its advantages and disadvantages.

In terms of the advantage, it is anchored on the good performance of the President.

"People will look at me at a kinder light. But it is also a disadvantage because those who dislike him will also dislike me. Sometimes, there are those whom I don't know but hated me. It is just really how it is. The name recall and having famous last name or my metaphor is knocking on the people's hearts. Whether they will accept you will still be based on your track record," he said.

Bam Aquino is a multi-awarded social entrepreneur and youth leader. He has worked hard to address poverty through innovations in community organizing, social entrepreneurship and livelihood development.

He does not believe on dole outs. He subscribed to saying: "Teach the people how to fish and not just give them fish."

He is one Aquino who similarly looks like his Uncle Ninoy.

"I am not trying to look at anyone. This is really what I look like. If I tried to look differently, that will look like fake. This is it. This is how I look like 12 years ago," he said.

He came to Bacolod upon the invitation of Councilor Caesar Distrito.

Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia, Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Councilors Em Ang and Distrito and vice mayoralty candidate Greg Gasataya warmly joined him in his visit here.