Veteran activist and social change advocate Teddy Casiño is giving his Senate bid a second try under the Makabayan Coalition.

Casiño announced his candidacy in the 2025 national elections today at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani on the 41^st anniversary of the assassination of former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. he said served as catalyst in his political awakening.

“I chose this historic date—at this monument for the heroes and martyrs of the struggle for freedom, justice and truth—to announce my decision to run as senator in the next elections,” Casiño said to loud applause by supporters.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) chairperson and former three-term representative of Bayan Muna Party said the Filipino people need genuine representation in the Senate.

“Let us not allow mothers and sons, siblings and relatives to turn the Senate into a corporation of families. Let us no longer vote for candidates because of their fame or their readiness to kowtow to other powerful interests,” he said.

Casiño said the next elections should not be about the Marcos dynasty or the bogus opposition by the Dutertes.

“They are both representatives of rotten politics,” he said.

People’s platform

Casiño said his candidacy shall be about the interests and aspirations of the Filipino people.

As a three-term congressman, the former legislator said he will fight for the people’s interest and welfare, as well as against political dynasties, corruption, elitism and betrayal of the people.

“It is time for genuine social change. In the next elections, there should be genuine people’s representation in the Senate!” he said.

Casiño told Kodao his legislative advocacy shall include:

• Anti political dynasty legislation
• Whistleblowers protection law
• Elimination of the 12% value added taxation on water, electricity and oil products
• Imposition of a 2% wealth tax on billionaires
• Empowerment of the National Power Corporation to establish new power plants for cheaper electricity
• Law encouraging solar panels on all government buildings and public schools
• Renationalization of Petron and importation of cheaper oil from the likes of Iran and Venezuela
• Adequate and free medicines in all public hospitals and community health centers
• A National Industrialization Act tosupport local businesses as well as the establishment of national iron, oil, medicine, agro-industries, transportation and electronics industries
• The repeal of the Anti-Terrorism Act
• The abolition of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and the resumption of the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

Casiño first ran for the Senate in 2013 at the end of his nine consecutive years as a member of the House of Representatives.

He is a Bachelor’s degree in sociology holder from the University of the Philippines in Los Baños where he also served as editor in chief of the student newpaper The Perspective.

He was national president of the College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines from 1991 to 1994 before becoming the public information officer of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) upon graduation from the youth and student movement.

He also became BAYAN secretary general before being elected to Congress in 2004.

He also served as commissioner of the People Power Commission, having been one of the leaders of the second people’s uprising that ousted President Joseph Estrada in 2001.

Makabayan welcomes Casiño’s decision

Makabayan meanwhile said it welcomes Casiño’s decision to give his Senate candidacy another try.

“Teddy Casiño has been a steadfast activist for over four decades, tirelessly advocating for the rights and welfare of the Filipino people. As Bayan Muna representative in Congress he has authored many laws including the PAO Law and the law that limited rent increase for poor families, Makabayan co-chairperson and former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said.

The bloc of progressive parties said Casiño and other Bayan Muna members in Congress, have not been tainted with corruption. 

“His entry into the senatorial race strengthens our commitment to bring the people’s agenda to the forefront of governance,” said Colmenares.

“We are proud to have Teddy Casiño as part of the Makabayan slate. His dedication to the struggle for genuine change and social justice is unwavering. We need more leaders like him in government who will truly represent the interests of the people,” Colmenares added.

Casiño  is the sixth candidate in Makabayan Coalition’s slate for the 2025 elections after ACT Teachers Party Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Women’s Rep. Arlene Brosas, KMU secretary general Jerome Adonis, former Bayan Muna and Gabriela representative Lisa Maza and Pamalakaya vice chairperson Ronnel Arambulo.  # (Raymund B. Villanueva)