Kiko: Endorsing Bam bringing 'people power' to next level

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Thursday said he is "passing the baton" to President Benigno Aquino III's cousin, Bam.

Pangilinan, whose six-year term in the Senate will lapse this June, made the statement as he officially endorsed the senatorial candidacy of Bam Aquino at a press conference.

"(Endorsing Bam) is bringing people power to the next level. What we are doing now is planting several years of integrity and good governance, " Pangilan said, referring to the Aquino's predecessors former President Corazon Aquino and martyred Senator Ninoy Aquino considered as heroes of the 1986 People Power Revolution.

The younger Aquino, a social entrepreneur running for senator at the midterm polls this year, said he hopes to also be a champion for the youth and for justice as Pangilinan was.

"(Pangilinan) has really been courageous and independent in his decisions and hopefully I can also be someone like that," Bam told Philstar.com.

Both Pangilinan and Bam are members of the Liberal Party, with the latter being part of the slate of candidates supported by the president.