Bam Aquino, Cynthia Villar deny helping build political dynasties

“We’re just a family with a history of public service.”   This was how senatorial hopeful Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino — cousin of President Benigno Aquino III — countered claims that his family is building a political dynasty in the country.   “If you look at the Aquinos, it’s not a dynasty… We just want to serve. Andoon lang talaga [yung] kagustuhang maglingkod sa taumbayan,” Aquino said during the proclamation of the administration slate in San Juan City on Monday.   Aquino said his surname has both its advantages and disadvantages in his senatorial bid.   “I think, definitely, the people who think the President is doing a good job will look favorably at me. 'Yung mga tao na galit sa kanya, baka galit na rin sa akin,” he said. Bam Aquino’s auntie, former Tarlac governor Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco, is also running for senator, but under the opposing United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) ticket.   Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution states that “the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.” No legislation on political dynasties, however, has been enacted by Congress.   Help from Kris   The President’s cousin was one of the candidates officially proclaimed on Monday as part of the administration’s senatorial ticket. The others were:  

• former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr.,
• Senator Alan Peter Cayetano,
• Senator Antonio Trillanes IV,
• former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar,
• Senator Francis Escudero,
• Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara,
• Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III,
• former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel
• Grace Poe-Llamanzares, chair of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB)
• former Senator Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal, and
• Senator Loren Legarda.

  The younger Aquino said he wouldn’t mind being endorsed by his celebrity cousin, Kris Aquino.   “We will need all the help we can get from relatives, friends, lahat… We will give it a good fight. We will ask everyone to help out,” he said.   Another Sen. Villar   Another senatorial hopeful, former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, said she sees nothing wrong in winning a Senate seat after the term of her husband, Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., expires next year.   “My husband is leaving the Senate if ever I will assume so wala naman ako talagang kamag-anak sa Senado,” she said in a separate interview.   She added that her experience as former congresswoman will definitely help her if ever she wins as senator.   “I have always worked for the welfare of women and children. ‘Yan ang dadalhin ko rin sa Senado,” Mrs. Villar said.   The Villar couple’s son, Mark Villar, is the incumbent congressman of the lone district of Las Piñas. — KBK, GMA News