Bam Aquino: Benjamin of the Senate

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV is the youngest senator. In his first stint as an elected official, Aquino is trying to turn into strengths the points that campaign critics raised against him: youth and inexperience.

One of the first issues he took a stand on was the proposed abolition of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK). A former chairman of the National Youth Commission, Aquino argued for reforming the SK and filed a bill that replaces it with a body composed of representatives of youth organizations.

As trade committee chairman, the social entrepreneur led the passage of his Go Negosyo bill, which establishes centers that will help small and medium enterprises set up shop and access funds.

Aquino filed 20 other bills like an anti-discrimination bill that includes the LGBT community, and the Magna Carta for Philippine Internet Freedom. He also called for inquiries into the ASEAN economic integration, shipping laws, substandard steel products, and generated online buzz for wanting to look into the Philippines’ slow and expensive Web connection.

In the PDAF investigation, Aquino signed the committee report recommending plunder charges against his colleagues. He opted to drop his pork barrel. “We came to a crossroads in our history and we chose to let go of a system which is flawed and is shown to be prone to corruption.”

While he said in the campaign that he is willing to criticize the President, Aquino has yet to take a position contrary to his cousin. The farthest he has gone is to say that economic growth under the Aquino administration is not yet inclusive.

The low-key Aquino also bears the burden of being compared to his lookalike and uncle, the late Senator Ninoy Aquino, one of the chamber’s brightest orators and thinkers. The 6^th Aquino in the Senate, Bam said he is willing to support an anti-political dynasty bill but depending on the definition.

With 5 years left for Aquino to make his own mark, Filomeno Sta. Ana III of the policy advocacy group Action for Economic Reforms said the senator’s promise to finally pass a fair competition bill against monopolies and cartels is key.

“This is far more significant than the other bills he is pushing for. The problem of the Philippines is people say we have an oligarchy. The state is captured by vested interests. Good regulation is absolutely necessary,” Sta. Ana said. – Rappler.com

See Aquino’s 2013 candidate profile in our election microsite.

See assessments for other neophyte senators:

• Sonny Angara: From textbooks to tax books
• Nancy Binay: All About 2016
• JV Ejercito: Not his Brother’s Keeper
• Grace Poe: A name of her own?
• Cynthia Villar: Dreaming of Rice Smugglers