From his first days back in the Senate, Senator Bam Aquino made it clear that his return to public service would be defined not by rhetoric, but by action. Barely settling into his post, he immediately took on some of the nation’s most pressing concerns—education reform, transparency in public spending, and accountability in government—setting the tone for a term anchored on service and substance.
These efforts have now earned him strong public approval. Senator Aquino was recognized as 2025’s Most Favorable Senator in Publicus Asia’s Pahayag 2025 End-of-Year (PEOY-2025) Survey, where he emerged as the top-rated lawmaker nationwide.
The survey, conducted from December 7 to 10, 2025, gathered responses from 1,500 registered Filipino voters and showed Senator Aquino posting a 54-percent net favorable rating, the highest among all sitting senators. He was followed by Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan (47 percent), Risa Hontiveros (46 percent), Bong Go (42 percent), and Rodante Marcoleta (38 percent).
The PEOY-2025 survey is an independent, non-commissioned nationwide study using purposive sampling, with respondents randomly selected from the market research panel of US-based firm PureSpectrum. Notably, Publicus Asia was the only survey firm that accurately predicted Aquino’s second-place finish in the 2025 senatorial elections, underscoring the credibility of its findings.
Education at the Center of Governance
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Senator Aquino has placed education at the heart of his legislative agenda. Among his priority measures is Senate Bill No. 1482, the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP), which seeks to address the country’s staggering 165,000-classroom backlog. The bill is expected to pass on third and final reading next month.
Under the proposed CAP, local government units and non-government organizations with proven track records will be allowed to construct classrooms using national government funds, while strictly adhering to standards set by the Department of Education. The measure aims to fast-track solutions by empowering capable partners on the ground.
Championing Transparency and Accountability
Beyond education, Senator Aquino has also pushed for stronger safeguards against corruption. In the wake of the massive flood control controversy, his Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act, widely known as the Blockchain the Budget Bill, gained resounding support in the Senate.
The bill was approved on third and final reading with a unanimous 17–0 vote, with no objections and no abstentions—an emphatic statement of support for transparency and open governance. Once enacted, the measure will allow citizens to track public expenditures in real time, strengthening accountability and public trust.
Campaign Promises Turned Into Policy
Much of Senator Aquino’s popularity stems from his track record of delivering on campaign commitments. Among the most notable achievements is the allocation of ₱1.38 trillion for education in the national budget—the largest in Philippine history.
This includes:
- ₱67 billion for the implementation of Republic Act No. 10931, or the Free College Law, which Aquino authored
- ₱68 billion for classroom construction
- ₱25.6 billion for the School-Based Feeding Program
Further reinforcing his commitment to students, the bicameral conference committee also approved his proposal to add ₱500 million to the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of the Higher Education Development Program. This amount is specifically earmarked for financial support for Related Learning Experience (RLE) requirements in Allied Health Sciences programs.
These programs include Nursing, Medical Technology, Pharmacy, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Radiologic Technology, Midwifery, Nutrition and Dietetics, Speech-Language Pathology, Human Biology, Dentistry, Biochemistry, and Psychology, among others—fields critical to strengthening the country’s healthcare workforce.
Leadership Grounded in Trust
Senator Aquino’s recognition as the Most Favorable Senator of 2025 reflects more than popularity—it signals growing public confidence in leadership that listens, delivers, and stays true to its commitments.
In an era where Filipinos increasingly demand transparency and tangible results, Bam Aquino’s brand of governance—rooted in education, accountability, and inclusive growth—continues to resonate, proving that public trust is earned through consistent action and principled service.
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