Kiko, Bam deny talks with Marcos-backed Alyansa

Former Senators Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan and Bam Aquino on Thursday denied that their respective camps are in talks with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas over a potential inclusion in its senatorial slate.

“There have been no discussions between my camp and Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas. Our campaign remains independent and focused on our core advocacy—fighting high food prices and ensuring food security for every Filipino family,” Pangilinan said in a statement.

“Hindi po totoo iyan. Ituloy lang natin ang masaya at makabuluhang people's campaign na patuloy na lumalakas at dumarami. Huwag po tayong ma-distract lalo pa't tuluy-tuloy ang ating kampanyang nakatuon sa kung ano ang mahalaga sa pamilyang Pilipino,” Aquino added in a separate statement posted on his X account (formerly Twitter.)

(That is not true. We are just continuing our joyful and meaningful people’s campaign that is getting stronger and increasing numbers. Let us not be distracted, especially that our campaign is focused on what matters to Filipino families.)

Aquino’s statement also attached a video clip of the late comedy actor Babalu saying, “Hindi totoo ‘yan. Bola lang ‘yan.” (That is not true. That’s a lie.)

Pangilinan said that while he welcomes broad-based support for his advocacies, his candidacy is driven by the urgent need to address the country’s food crisis and economic hardships.

“Sa atin, ang laban ay laban para sa pagkain sa murang presyo. Hindi ito usapin ng partido o kulay. Handa tayo makipagtulungan sa lahat ng mga partido," said Pangilinan.

(The fight right now is a fight for lower food prices, and we are willing to work with other parties for this advocacy.)

Pangilinan's statement comes a day after Alyansa campaign manager and Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco also denied the said report, which also mentioned Bam Aquino.

''That’s completely untrue. I haven’t met with Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan,'' Tiangco told reporters.

The clarification came after Senator Imee Marcos announced her withdrawal from Alyansa.

Pangilinan was a Senator from 2001 to 2013, a food security czar from 2014 to 2015, and a Senator again from 2016 to 2022.

Aquino, on the other hand, was a Senator from 2013 to 2019. — VAL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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