Pangilinan optimistic, says he’s ‘hoping for the best’
SILANG, CAVITE—Even as the latest surveys show him slipping further from the so-called “Magic 12” winning circle, senatorial candidate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan remains optimistic, saying the true pulse of the Filipino people will only be revealed on Election Day.
Despite a 90-day campaign that ended Saturday, Pangilinan appeared well-rested and calm on Monday, arriving at Inchican Elementary School in Silang, Cavite, along with his wife, singer and actress Sharon Cuneta, to cast their votes.
“[I’m feeling] good, rested; finally, I was able to sleep well last night. I had eight hours of sleep for the first time in 90 days so I’m okay. We know we have done everything, and we leave it up to the Lord,” Pangilinan told reporters while queuing at his polling precinct.
“I’m hoping for the best … we’ll see. I believe that the Filipino people will decide and whatever the result is, we will accept that,” he said.
Pangilinan, who last served as senator from 2016 to 2022, ran for vice president alongside then-presidential candidate Leni Robredo but the pair lost to the Uniteam tandem of former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
Food security platform
Pangilinan’s push for a Senate comeback is centered on a platform of food security—an ambitious plan to provide free breakfast to students from daycare to senior high school. This initiative is intended to ensure access to nutritious meals and address the impact of hunger on learning.
In the final week of the campaign, he bagged the surprise endorsement of Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, who commands the country’s most vote-rich province with 3.4 million voters.
He also secured the backing of Cavite gubernatorial candidate Abeng Remulla, son of former lawmaker and now Justice Secretary Boying Remulla.
The latest Pulse Asia survey conducted from April 20 to April 24, however, placed him in the 17th to 19th rank among voters’ preferred senatorial candidates.
