CAMPAIGN PROFILES: Bam cites work with the poor, entrepreneurship in Senate bid

MANILA, Philippines - Critics have observed that the Aquinos are historically elected to public office after a family member dies either through sickness or assassination.

The late President Corazon Aquino was catapulted to power by the People Power revolution in February 1986, three years after her husband, the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., was killed in August 1983.

In the same way, their only son President Aquino became chief executive in June 2010 following the death of his mother due to colon cancer in August 2009.

This May elections, the President’s cousin, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, is a senatorial candidate of the Liberal Party-led administration coalition.

“I think nobody should die in our family for me to be elected to the Senate,” the 35-year-old Bam told The STAR in Filipino during Team PNoy’s sortie in northern Luzon.

“They may have died but their memories still live out of their love for the people,” he added.

Bam’s father Paul is the youngest brother of the slain senator, who was a vocal critic of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

Bam, who was only six years old when his uncle was slain and nine when People Power took place, had been exposed to the ills of society during those turbulent times.

Now that he is a young man, Bam – who bears a striking resemblance to his martyred uncle – is an advocate of social entrepreneurship and micro-finance and served as chairman of the National Youth Commission (NYC) from 2003 to 2006.

The young Aquino believes that his experience in social entrepreneurship, micro-finance, non-government organizations, and NYC has equipped him for a Senate post despite not having been in public service.

“My time as chairman of NYC, a national agency under the executive department, provided me experience in governance,” Bam said. 

“But it is my work with the poor and in social enterprise in the past years that has shaped my belief that the right policies and programs can transform communities,” he added. “We need to take this to the next level and ensure that Filipinos have the right opportunities to improve their lives.”

Bam was a recipient in December 2010 of the prestigious Ten Outstanding Young Men awards, where he was cited for social enterprise and community development. The TOYM recognizes 10 outstanding individuals who excel in their profession and made a difference in the lives of people.

Last year, he was one of two Filipinos chosen for the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) award given by the international JCI to people below the age of 40.

He is also president of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) that President Aquino commended in December 2012 as they expressed willingness to help in nation building and support in the government’s campaign against corruption.

The TAYO Awards Foundation headed by Bam organizes the TAYO Awards, an annual search and recognition program for outstanding groups of young Filipinos who contribute to the development of the country through humanitarian projects in their respective schools and communities.