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(From left) Kiko Pangilinan, former vice president Leni Robredo and Bam Aquino on the campaign trail as seen in a photo posted on May 10, 2025 ahead of the May 12 midterm elections.
Bam Aquino campaign
MANILA, Philippines — Pre-election surveys hardly counted them among the leading 12 senatorial contenders in the May 12 midterm elections, but Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan secured their places just hours after the transmission of votes began.
Aquino and Pangilinan, so far ranking second and fifth, respectively, in the Senate race.
This is despite counting themselves part of the opposition, allied to neither feuding camps of President Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte.
As of 1:05 a.m., with more than 80% of votes transmitted in the partial and unofficial count through the Commission on Election's media servers, Aquino and Pangilinan's campaign is ecstatic.
A 'miracle.' At a Zoom press conference his surprise, Pangilinan admitted his surprise.
"We didn't expect this kind of result, because based on all surveys, we're always not in the Top 12. And therefore, we were surprised," he said.
Pangilinan noted that his campaign even faced significant disinformation and that he felt a “miracle” was needed in the final week to secure a win.
His Senate comeback is imminent, a turnaround from 2022 when Pangilinan lost the vice presidential contest to Duterte, who, in the coming months, will soon face a Senate trial for impeachment.
Thankful. In a separate statement, Aquino thanked the public for their trust and support.
"This if for all Filipinos—a whole-hearted thanks to all, to God, and to those who trusted and leaned on our love for country," Aquino said.
Aquino, a former senator, served as campaign manager for the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem in 2022. — Ian Laqui
