Ejercito backs Bam Aquino, Edu endorses Heidi Mendoza

Senator JV Ejercito has backed the comeback bid of senatorial candidate Bam Aquino, while actor Edu Manzano endorsed former COA commissioner Heidi Mendoza for the Senate.

Ejercito said that he and Aquino were co-authors of the Free College Education law as well as the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Law, during their Senate stint from 2013 to 2019.

“Dahil sa sipag niya ngayon, libre na ang kolehiyo sa Pilipinas. Kaya pakiusap ko po, ibalik natin si Bam sa Senado, ang Senador na magsusulong ng mas malawak na libreng kolehiyo at siguradong trabaho,” Ejercito said.

(Because of his hard work, today college is free in the Philippines. So my entreaty is that we bring Bam back to the Senate, the senator who will push for the expansion of free college and more jobs.)

Other incumbent senators who have endorsed Aquino include Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, and Francis Escudero.

Aquino campaigned in Bicol Region on Wednesday, starting in Naga City, where former vice president Leni Robredo is running for mayor. Aquino served as campaign manager during Robredo's 2022 presidential run.

Aquino also held consultations in Camarines Sur's capital city Pili, which will be followed by campaign stops in Camarines Norte and Masbate.

Kiko Pangilinan campaigns at the San Fernando City Plaza Market in Pampanga on April 9, 2025. Photo from his campaign

Kiko campaigns in Pampanga

Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, for his part, barnstormed his home province of Pampanga last Tuesday.

Joined by his son Miguel, the former senator traveled to San Luis to visit the farm of businessman Romeo “Idol” Catacutan.

The father and son took part in various farm activities, including catching fresh tilapia, picking papaya, and gathering chicken and ostrich eggs.

They also shared a farm-to-table meal with Catacutan, featuring freshly cooked tilapia, locally grown vegetables, and fermented rice, or "buro."

Pangilinan then joined supporters and volunteers as they held a market run at the San Fernando City Plaza Market, and had a meet and greet with Pampanga local officials.

In Angeles City, Pangilinan attended the Balibago Waterworks anniversary.

The former senator on Tuesday also visited Bulacan, where he held a mini-rally and a concert at the Malolos City Hall Amphitheater.

Edu for Heidi

Also this week, actor Edu Manzano endorsed the 2025 Senate bid of former Commission on Audit (COA) commissioner Heidi Mendoza.

Manzano said that while Mendoza does not have celebrity-level fame, she has the track record needed to be a senator.

“Hindi siya artista. Wala siyang ads. Wala rin siyang milyon-milyong piso para sa campaign. Pero may isa siyang bagay na hindi kayang bilhin: integridad,” said the actor, who earlier also endorsed Bam Aquino.

(She is not a celebrity and does not have a lot of advertisements and millions to spend for her campaign. But she has one thing that cannot be bought by money: integrity.)

“Itinaya niya ang buhay niya sa corruption case ng mga generals sa AFP. Ginamit ang boses para ibulgar ang mga ghost delivery at overpricing sa gobyerno. Baka naman pwedeng ipasa ito para sa taong may nagawa talaga para sa bayan,” Manzano added.

(She risked her life to pursue a corruption case against military generals, and she used her voice to expose ghost deliveries and overpricing of government projects. Maybe we can pass this on for someone who really has done something for our country.) — BM, GMA Integrated News

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