PAOLO “Bam” Aquino IV, who is one of the senatorial candidates of the Liberal Party, has shrugged off criticisms that he is just banking his candidacy on the popularity of his relatives.
Aquino is the cousin of President Benigno Aquino III, whose parents, he described as freedom icon, the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., and democracy icon, the late President Corazon Aquino.
The President is known for being good governance icon with his battle cry matuwid na daan, according to Aquino, who arrived here Friday for series of speaking engagements.
Aquino, 35, has urged the electorates to appreciate the contributions of his uncle and aunt to the country as well as that of his cousin as symbols of inspirations.
“They are my inspirations too,” Aquino, a young social entrepreneur, said citing his uncle and aunt have given their lives for the country.
He urged the public to look into his track record as a public servant not as being an Aquino.
He is one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons in 2012 and former chairman of the National Youth Commission.
Being a social entrepreneur, Aquino said his program is geared toward poverty alleviation through business development for the poor once given the mandate to be in the House of Senate.
“They should have access to capital, proper training and market linkage,” he added.
He established in 2007 the Micro Ventures Incorporated that currently runs the internationally awarded Hapinoy Program with thousands of women micro entrepreneur members in the countryside to help them secure better incomes for their families.
The Micro Ventures Incorporated is a social enterprise that engages in poverty alleviation through business development for the poor. (Bong Garcia)