Senator Bam Aquino on Thursday downplayed early talks about the 2028 elections, urging national leaders to prioritize urgent national concerns over premature politicking.
“Nakakahiyang mamulitika habang napakaraming pinagdadaanan ng taumbayan,” Aquino said, highlighting the country’s challenges in education, the economy, rising prices, and anti-corruption efforts.
“Iyong bansa natin, pagdating sa edukasyon, pagdating sa ekonomiya, presyo ng bilihin, sa pagtugis sa korapsyon, napakaraming hinaharap. Iyan dapat iyong inuuna natin, hindi dapat ang pamumulitika,” he added, stressing that immediate action for the public’s welfare should come before election planning.
His remarks came amid speculation about a possible united opposition ticket for 2028, following meetings of Liberal Party leaders and allies, including Senators Risa Hontiveros and Kiko Pangilinan, former Vice President and now-Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, and other opposition figures.
Former Budget Secretary Butch Abad confirmed that Aquino and Hontiveros remain open to pursuing national posts under a united opposition, but Aquino emphasized that election discussions should wait.
“Iyong 2028, dadating rin iyan. At may tamang panahon na pag-usapan iyan. Pero ngayon, ang tamang gawin, pag-usapan iyong mga mahalaga sa taumbayan,” he said.
Aquino, elected senator in the 2025 midterm polls with 20.9 million votes—the second-highest total—urged leaders to remain focused on immediate national priorities rather than election maneuvering.