Senator Bam Aquino emphasized the need for all sectors—whether allied with the administration or not—to work together to ensure quality education for the nation’s youth.
His remarks came during the July 30 Senate plenary session after Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada asked Aquino if he now supports President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
The question stemmed from Aquino’s privilege speech in which he commended the President’s mention of his administration’s education initiatives in the 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28.
Marcos had outlined plans to strengthen the education sector, including the construction of 40,000 additional classrooms, salary increases for teachers, and enhanced use of technology to aid both educators and students.
“On a lighter note, Senator Aquino, you mentioned earlier… na masaya ka at maraming binanggit si Pangulong Marcos tungkol sa education. ‘Yan ba ay pagpapatunay na sinusuportahan niyo si Pangulong Marcos?” Estrada asked.
Aquino responded, “Kahapon po, I was pleasantly surprised… naka-ready na po ‘yung speech ko eh, kaya parang buminggo talaga tayo. Ang rami dito nabanggit po nung Monday. We’re very thankful for that.”
In his speech, Aquino urged fellow lawmakers and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to allocate a larger budget for education, recommending that at least 4% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) be devoted to the sector.
“With the budget increase and the President’s pronouncement during the SONA, I’m sure we will find a way to find the funding para magkaroon ng successful implementation ang mga education reforms natin. Itong lahat, kailangan po natin para masolusyonan ang krisis ng ating edukasyon,” he said.
Aquino recently secured the Senate Committee on Basic Education and the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, the latter handed over to him by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, after joining the Senate majority alongside Senator Kiko Pangilinan.