SENATOR-ELECT Bam Aquino hopes to reclaim the Senate Committee on Education to fulfill his campaign promises and advance reforms in the country’s education system.

“Para sa akin kasi, mahalaga iyong Committee on Education. I’m really hoping to get that committee para iyong mga napangako natin during the campaign matupad natin at lahat ng mga adbokasiyang nasimulan natin, matuloy rin,” Aquino said in an interview.

He previously chaired the committee from 2013 to 2019, during which he championed the landmark Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, also known as the Free College Law.

In the 2025 elections, Aquino ran on a platform of strengthening the Free College Law to benefit more students and ensure guaranteed employment for all Filipinos.

“Definitely the education portfolio is really my target. Nagre-request rin nga ako sa mga kabataan at sa mga volunteers namin na ipagdasal nila na makuha ko iyon committee na iyon para ma-fulfill natin yung mga kailangan natin,” he added.

Amid ongoing talks on Senate leadership in the 20th Congress, Aquino said his focus remains on fulfilling his campaign pledges and addressing pressing issues.

“Ang pinakamahalaga hindi kung anong grupo ka politically, ang mahalaga na magtrabaho ka para sa taumbayan. In my case, ang pinaka-focus talaga natin ang edukasyon,” he said. “Iyan iyong mga na-accomplish natin noon, iyan ang tinakbo na natin noong kampanya, at iyan ang hinahanap sa akin ng taumbayan — to focus on education.”

He stressed the urgency of the country’s education crisis and warned against being distracted by politics.

“Kung puro pulitika ang pinag-uusapan, parang nawawala ang pansin sa mga bagay na mahalaga sa tao. Ang hinahanap ng tao, ano ba ang gagawin niyo para makatulong sa buhay namin,” Aquino said.