Ogie Diaz backs Bam Aquino, Heidi Mendoza, Kiko Pangilinan for Senate

Talent manager and entertainment show host Ogie Diaz has expressed support for the senatorial bids of Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan, and former Commission on Audit (COA) commissioner Heidi Mendoza.

Diaz made his endorsement on his YouTube show "Ogie Diaz Showbiz Update."

“Heto, hindi ako magbabanggit ng twelve. Basta yung ilan sa kanila, yung iba kasi understood na. Si Bam Aquino, si Kiko Pangilinan, si Heidi Mendoza ang dating COA commissioner,” Diaz said.

(I won’t mention 12, some are already out there. But for me, I will vote for Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan, and former COA commissioner Heidi Mendoza)

“Iyan, matitino ‘yan. Ako na nagsasabi sa inyo, matitino yang tatlo na ‘yan,” he added.

(They are competent people. I'm already the one telling you those three are capable.)

Aquino was a senator from 2013 to 2019. Diaz supported Aquino’s re-election bid in 2019, which he lost after finishing in 14th place.

Pangilinan served as a senator from 2001 to 2013, and again from 2016 to 2022. He rated high in pre-election surveys in the May 2022 polls, but dropped his Senate bid to serve as the running mate of Vice President Leni Robredo. They lost to Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte.

Mendoza, on the other hand, is on her first Senate bid. She served as a commissioner of the Commission on Audit (COA) from 2011 to 2015 and is an auditor and certified public accountant.

Aquino is campaigning for increased access to the Free College Education law with an additional government budget, while Pangilinan’s core advocacy is bringing down food prices.

Mendoza, for her part, is advocating for transparency in government transactions.

Pro-Philippine bets

In a separate press conference, administration lawmakers Paolo Ortega V of La Union and Geraldine Roman of Bataan warned the voters against pro-China candidates.

"You cannot vote for a Senator who is not pro-Philippines. They need to have the heart and dedication in the work they do for our country. That is clear. Those who are tight-lipped about our legal claims in the West Philippine Sea, I won't say more. You need not be the brightest, the most hardworking...but the candidate should be pro-Philippines," Ortega said. 

"The Constitution requires a candidate for Senator to be a Filipino citizen. But being a Filipino is something you take to hear. Can you imagine a Senator who is not loyal to our country? Cancel those kinds of candidates. A Senator should serve the interest of the Filipino people, someone who will help our farmers, who can walk the talk, and know the job of a Senator: to craft legislation that will improve the lives of our people," Roman added.

In a separate statement, ML party-list and former Quezon congressman Erin Tañada agreed that there should be increased government aid for farmers as well as fisherfolk. 

"There should be an incentive, like a mini allowance for young farmers whenever they reach the annual harvest quota. This program will be able to sustain interest in the industry, and will be a better alternative to the perpetual ayuda system," Tañada said.

“If we are serious about fighting poverty, we need to focus on rural poverty,” Tañada added. — BM, GMA Integrated News

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