Opposition needed in a democracy: Sen. Kiko

Senator Francis Pangilinan emphasized the importance of the opposition's role in the country even as he welcomed Sen. Bam Aquino's inclusion as the lone opposition in the top 12 of the Pulse Asia survey.

"Since Sen. Bam is 10-19 in the survey, siya lang ang tanging nakapasok sa top 12. Nakapalaking bagay ito dahil makikita na kailangan ng taumbayan ang isang oposisyon sa isang demokratikong bansa," said Pangilinan.

Pangilinan was alluding to the latest Pulse Asia survey conducted from March 23 to 28, where Sen. Aquino garnered 30.5 percent, good for 10th to 19th places.

"Hindi pwedeng iisang boses lang ang nariririnig sa ating bansa. Kailangang may tumutuligsa sa mga maling polisiya ng pamahalaan na nakakasama sa taumbayan," said Pangilinan.

Pangilinan, also the president of Partido Liberal, pointed out that a genuine opposition is needed to serve as vanguard of democracy and advocate of the people's welfare.

"Mahalaga na mayroong tatayo at magsasalita laban sa mga mali at mapang-aping polisiya ng pamahalaan at magbabantay sa kapakanan ng bansa," he said.

"The polls tell us that we need to work much harder in gaining our people's trust and this can only be done by ensuring that we place our people's welfare first as we serve them with our utmost," Pangilinan added.

Earlier, Sen. Aquino expressed his intention to join a genuine opposition slate for the 2019 midterm elections.