CinemaBravo

For Naga City Mayor and former Vice President Leni Robredo, the victories of Senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan in the 2025 senatorial elections are a testament that winning doesn’t require compromising one’s principles.

Robredo praised the two lawmakers for their strategic yet principled approach to the elections, saying their success demonstrated the importance of creating space for differing views.

“Sa atin lang, if we fight right, may chance tayo. Gaya ng ginawa nila Senator Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, kung gusto natin manalo, kailangan mas lawakin natin iyong space natin para sa dissenting views,” she said.

(If we fight the right way, we have a chance. Like what Senator Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan did—if we want to win, we need to broaden our space for dissenting views.)

Bam finished second in the 2025 senatorial race, garnering more than 20 million votes, while Kiko placed fifth with more than 15 million votes, despite lagging in pre-election surveys.

To replicate the success of the two senators, Mayor Leni urged allies and supporters to embrace collaboration and inclusivity, saying it would benefit not just their movement but the country as a whole.

“Marami pa rin kasi tayong mga kasama na mas puso, mas puso yung pinapairal, mas emotion. Ako, kung gusto natin manalo, ‘di pwede yun eh. Kung gusto nating manalo, kailangan mas malayo yung pagtingin natin at mas malawak,” she explained

(We still have many allies who lead with their hearts and let emotions rule. But for me, if we want to win, that won’t work. We need to look farther ahead and think more broadly.)

“Sa akin lang kung ganun lagi, mahihirapan tayo. Mahihirapan tayo na wala tayong espasyo para do’n sa mga hindi eksakto sa paniniwala natin,” Robredo added.

(If that’s how we always are, we’ll have a hard time—if there’s no space for those who don’t exactly share our beliefs.)

She also lamented how some allies sometimes turn on their ranks over minor disagreements, which ultimately undermine their chances of success.

“Ngayon, parang one false move, or one move ng isang kandidato na hindi sang-ayon sa kanila, aawayin,” she said.

(Nowadays, it’s like one false move—or a single action by a candidate that they disagree with—and they’ll attack them.)

Echoing the approach taken by Bam and Kiko, Mayor Leni encouraged supporters to focus on building bridges and broadening their support base in the next three years in preparation for the 2028 elections.