P-Noy’s cousin Bam Aquino announces he wants to run for the Senate in 2013

Erika Sauler of The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports that 35-year-old Paulo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV, first cousin of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, wants to run for a Senate seat in the 2013 elections. The report noted that Bam-who was recently tagged as one of the 2012 Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP)-"cofounded MicroVentures Inc. in 2006, a social enterprise company that provides microfinancing to small businesses and manages the Hapinoy Store, a program that aims to empower variety store owners, which received the 2011 UN Project Inspire award."

The report also revealed that in a recent meeting with Philippine Daily Inquirer editors and reporters, Bam said, "You might think it naïve, but by being in the Senate, I can help push for these issues further and make these part of the national discussion." The report also added: "Bam, son of Paul Aquino and nephew of the late opposition leader Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., has announced he wants to run under the ruling Liberal Party (LP), which has yet to announce its Senate slate in the 2013 elections."

Bam revealed that he was encouraged to join politics by Senator Francis Pangilinan and Tony Meloto of Gawad Kalinga. When asked about political dynasties and Hacienda Luisita by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, he answered: "I expect that in the first few months, that's what people would be asking. But I think it's hard to pinpoint dynasties to the Aquinos. It's not like one position is being passed on to a wife or son in a locality. Because when we talk about dynasties, it's usually because they also own the business there and they are protecting their interests. The Aquinos have no holdings there and I am for distributing Luisita."

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