KiBam

KiBam, also known as Kiko–Bam, is the umbrella of the opposition-backed candidacies of former senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino for the 2025 Philippine Senate election. Led by the Liberal Party, the coalition was formed on November 9, 2024, and includes the Akbayan and Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino parties.

Background

Formation

At a forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) on February 22, 2024, Liberal Party spokesperson and former senator Leila de Lima announced that the party plans to field former senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, as well as human rights lawyer Chel Diokno of the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KANP), as its senatorial candidates in the upcoming election. Aquino confirmed his bid for the Senate on May 14 after being appointed as the chairman of KANP. While former vice president and 2022 presidential candidate Leni Robredo was floated as a possible candidate, Robredo ruled out a bid for the Senate and instead announced a run for the mayoralty of Naga, Camarines Sur, though the party remained keen in drafting Robredo for its Senate ticket.

Former senator Antonio Trillanes, who ran under TRoPa in the 2022 Senate election, proposed that the Liberal Party and its allies "set aside sensitivities for a larger cause" and align with the Marcos administration in the Senate race to ensure "obliteration of the Duterte forces". Then-party president Edcel Lagman was also open to such arrangement. Political pundits suggest that such a coalition would provide the opposition with more resources during the campaign but may alienate "many groups in the opposition camp who are ideologically opposed to any alliance with other political groups". De Lima disapproved of Trillanes' proposal, emphasizing the need to adhere to the party's principles as a political opposition and identity as "the alternative to the Marcos bloc and the Duterte bloc". Senator Risa Hontiveros concurred with de Lima, stating that while she respects Trillanes's proposition, such an alliance would not form a "genuine opposition".

Announcement

On September 20, the Liberal Party announced Pangilinan's candidacy for senator. Aquino and Pangilinan then launched their "Mga Kaibigan" (Friends) campaign on October 16 at the Bahay ng Alumni at the University of the Philippines Diliman, with Hontiveros serving as their campaign manager. At a campaign event in Bulacan, in November 2024, their campaign adopted the name "KiBam", a portmanteau of their names.

Coalition members

Campaign

Launch and initial activities

The campaign officially launched on February 11, 2025, with a morning Mass at the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice, located on the University of the Philippines Diliman campus in Quezon City. The event was attended by key opposition figures, including former vice president Leni Robredo, Akbayan representative Perci Cendaña, and Akbayan representative candidate Chel Diokno.

Following the mass, Pangilinan and Aquino conducted house-to-house visits. The day concluded with a campaign rally at the Dasmariñas City Arena in Dasmariñas, Cavite, a province with a significant voter base. The rally featured performances by celebrities, including Sharon Cuneta (Pangilinan's wife), and endorsements from political figures aligned with the opposition.

Grassroots and digital engagement

The campaign employs a grassroots approach, encapsulated in the "Mga Kaibigan" (Friends) initiative, aimed at uniting Filipinos around their platform.

Additionally, "KiBam" has a strong digital media presence, utilizing online rallies, livestreams, and social media campaigns to reach a broader audience, particularly the youth and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Pangilinan has vowed to create and post potentially viral media content, stating that "the campaign should not be too serious".

"Pink wave" association

Pangilinan and Aquino are associated with the "pink wave", a movement that emerged during the 2022 elections in support of reform-oriented politics. By aligning with Leni Robredo and other figures associated with this movement, the campaign seeks to mobilize support from Filipinos advocating for change, good governance, and social justice.

Political positions

Impeachment of Sara Duterte

In case the two candidates win and form part of the Senate's impeachment court of Vice President Sara Duterte, they vowed to be fair judges in Duterte's trial. During an earlier interview, Aquino stated that the impeachment was an issue of politicians and not Filipinos, and that his focus is on the welfare of the people.

Domestic policies

The "KiBam" campaign is centered on governance reforms and economic recovery, with a specific focus on:

* Food security and agriculture – Advocated by Pangilinan, highlighting support for farmers and fisherfolk.
* Education and youth employment – Led by Aquino, focusing on the continuation of free college education and job creation for young Filipinos.
* Social justice and transparent governance – Promoting policies aimed at good governance, accountability, and democratic reforms.
Aquino stated in a one-on-one interview with Karen Davila that he is not in favor of passing a divorce law.

Senatorial slate

Endorsements

See also

* DuterTen, another opposition coalition at the 2025 Philippine Senate election
* Team Robredo–Pangilinan, the coalition's predecessor in 2022
* Otso Diretso, the coalition's predecessor in 2019
* Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid, the coalition's predecessor in 2016
* Team PNoy, the coalition's predecessor in 2013

References

{{2025 Philippine general election

2024 establishments in the Philippines
Political party alliances in the Philippines