Musician-turned-official seeks Senate seat, vows to uphold Duterte’s principles

A diverse field of candidates is vying for Senate seats in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections. Among them is musician-turned-government official Jimmy Bondoc, best known as a diehard Duterte supporter.

On last night’s edition of The Big Story, Bondoc was asked about his decision to run for the Senate. He admitted that former President Rodrigo Duterte asked him what position he’d be most interested in, and he chose the Senate.

“Ang una talaga niyan, mag-partylist sana ako. I do have a party, it’s called Boses,” he explained. “But when I was confronted by the former president, tinanong niya, ‘Saan ka tatakbo?’ Sabi ko partylist.”

Bondoc was previously a member of the board of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) during Duterte’s administration. He also held other key positions at the agency during his term.

Asked to expound on his recent statement where he said he wants to strengthen “the best of the best of Duterte principles,” he argued that his anti-corruption stance aligns with those principles.

“Marami po tayong kritisismo sa dating pangulo, but ‘yung anti-corruption stance niya was very evident and very felt sa aming mga nasa ahensya,” he said.

On Duterte’s brutal drug war, Bondoc said he agrees with Duterte’s approach, stating that while it “wasn’t perfect,” the country needed that kind of strategy.

“Sa neighborhood namin, nawala talaga ‘yung mga bwisit. Kasi bwisit talaga eh, that’s the word for it,” he said. “And now, to be frank, some of them are back.”

The TBS anchors also asked Bondoc about his controversial statement regarding the non-renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise in 2020. You may recall that in a Facebook post, he wrote, “I am so excited to see the biggest network close down. This company is a snake pit where success is based on politics and sexual favors.”

When asked if he still stands by that statement, he replied, “You know, I’m honest enough to admit that that post was strongly worded because of personal reasons that I would, if you would allow me to not say.”

“On the other hand, I was aware of what that statement would do, that it would bring light to something that at that time was, you know, iniquitous,” he added.

Bondoc is running under Duterte’s PDP-Laban party.

Watch the video below: