Former Senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan are poised for a stunning return to the Philippine Senate, signaling a potential shift in the nation’s political landscape following the 2025 midterm elections. Partial, unofficial results show both candidates comfortably within the “Magic 12,” defying pre-election predictions and demonstrating the resurgence of progressive voices in a Senate previously dominated by the administration.
MANILA, Philippines – In a stunning political resurgence that signals a shift in the nation’s political tides, former senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan are on the cusp of reclaiming seats in the Senate, marking a pivotal moment in the 2025 midterm elections.
According to partial and unofficial results released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Media Server as of 10:47 p.m. on Monday, May 12, Aquino holds a commanding second place with 19,867,083 votes, while Pangilinan ranks fifth with 14,514,927 votes. These figures reflect 74.01% of total election returns processed, placing both candidates solidly within the coveted “Magic 12” — a term used to describe the top twelve senatorial candidates expected to win seats.
Their strong performance is more than a personal vindication; it is a clear referendum on the relevance of progressive voices in a Senate that has been dominated in recent years by administration-aligned allies.
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From Underdogs to Frontrunners
Aquino and Pangilinan’s comeback was far from assured. Heading into the campaign season, both trailed behind administration-backed candidates in most pre-election surveys. Yet, through consistent messaging, grassroots engagement, and a sharp focus on policy-driven platforms, the two former senators defied political odds.
Their return to national politics is all the more remarkable considering the baggage of their association with the Liberal Party (LP) — a political brand that suffered significant reputational damage during the Rodrigo Duterte administration. For years, LP figures, including then-vice president Leni Robredo, were relentlessly targeted by disinformation campaigns aimed at portraying them as elitist and disconnected from the masses.
Pangilinan, Robredo’s running mate in the 2022 presidential race, suffered a crushing loss. Meanwhile, Aquino, who authored the landmark Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act during his previous stint in the Senate, failed in his 2019 re-election bid and chose to stay out of the 2022 race, instead serving as Robredo’s campaign manager.
But in 2025, Aquino and Pangilinan recalibrated. While not disavowing their roots, they ran independent-leaning campaigns that focused on solutions, not partisanship — a move that resonated with voters yearning for credible governance and sincere advocacy.
Platform-Centered Politics Make a Return
Aquino’s legislative agenda remains rooted in education and youth empowerment. As principal author of Republic Act 10931, he now pushes for its full implementation, noting that many of its critical provisions — such as subsidies for private school students and expanded financial aid — remain underfunded or ignored.
“We cannot stop at free tuition. We must invest in a full ecosystem that enables our youth to succeed — from classrooms to careers,” Aquino said during one of his campaign stops in Quezon City. He also committed to advancing job creation programs targeted at fresh graduates and young professionals, aiming to bridge the skills gap that continues to plague the labor market.
Pangilinan, meanwhile, stayed true to his longstanding advocacy: food security. Drawing from his experience as a farmer and agriculture advocate, his platform prioritizes increased funding for the agriculture sector, improved welfare for farmers and fisherfolk, and the institutionalization of a national feeding program.
“Our children are hungry, and it is affecting how they learn. If we want to solve the education crisis, we must start by feeding our students,” Pangilinan said during a rally in Mindoro. His proposed feeding program, aimed at providing free breakfasts in public schools, gained traction among education and nutrition advocates alike.
A Reinvigorated Progressive Bloc
Should the partial results hold, the entry of Aquino and Pangilinan into the 20th Congress will effectively triple the size of the Senate’s progressive bloc, joining Senator Risa Hontiveros, whose term runs until 2028.
For the past three years, Hontiveros has been the lone liberal voice in the chamber, often delivering dissenting views on critical issues such as red-tagging, extrajudicial killings, and authoritarian policies. The return of Pangilinan and Aquino will not only bolster this bloc but also enable a broader policy push on education, agriculture, and good governance.
Political observers note that their victory represents a potential turning point — not just for their careers, but for the country’s political discourse. With the Marcos administration enjoying broad legislative support, the presence of credible opposition voices could help restore deliberative balance and accountability in policymaking.
A Comeback Laden with Meaning
This political comeback is more than just a return to power; it is a comeback layered with symbolism. It reflects the enduring relevance of public service records, the power of policy-centered campaigning, and the slow but steady erosion of the disinformation narratives that had sought to vilify reformists and progressives.
As the nation awaits the full canvassing of votes and official proclamations, one thing is clear: Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan are back, not with the baggage of old battles, but with renewed purpose — and the voters, it seems, are ready to listen again.