Bam confident to get senatorial slot with LP

CEBU, Philippines - Presidential cousin Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV is confident to be included in the final list of candidates for senator under the LP-NP-NPC coalition.

The 35-year-old Aquino admitted that being the cousin of President Benigno Aquino III is a plus factor for him. He believes that he has something unique to offer in this country as he represents the youth and his pro-poor advocacies.

“I am included in the short list but not yet in the final list which will be announced this month,” Bam said.

He was in Cebu yesterday to attend the mass for former president Corazon Aquino’s third death anniversary.

While he admitted having a plus factor to be included in the final list of candidates, but Bam believes he also has the qualification, advocacies and winnability.

Bam is the president of the MicroVentures Foundation, a social enterprise that supports under privileged women in the Philippine countryside through the Hapinoy Program, which won the UN’s Project Inspire Award besting over 400 social enterprises all over the world in 2011.

Bam’s father, Paul is the younger brother of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr..

He dismissed accusations that the Aquino family is forming a dynasty.

“The Aquinos are into public service. We have a history of real and honest public service. A dynasty has an interest to protect, wala kaming pinuprotektahan,” said Bam, who is also the president of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations Awards Foundation, the country’s premier youth award-giving body for youth organizations.

Bam is also an awardee of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines in 2010 under Social Enterprise and Community Development category. — (FREEMAN)