Food crisis prompted Kiko Pangilinan to join Senate majority
Published Sep 13, 2025 03:14 pm
Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan says there is "no time to waste" in addressing the food crisis in the country, and that both the executive and the legislative branches of the government must work hand in hand to face the challenge.
In a recent interview with Manila Bulletin's inaugural episode of the podcast series The Sit Down, Pangilinan cited this crisis as the reason why he opted to join the majority bloc during the Senate presidency of Francis "Chiz" Escudero.
Pangilinan, who was initially expected to join the minority bloc along with opposition figure Senator Risa Hontiveros in the 20th Congress, said he did not abandon his principles when he came part of the other side.
He explained that his decision came down to practicality.
He said he understands the "vocal segment" that opposed his becoming aligned with the majority, but stressed that "the fundamental difference is that they didn’t go around campaigning for food security".
"I did. So they don’t have that burden—I do," said Pangilinan, who remained with the majority after the ouster of Escudero and the assumption of Tito Sotto as Senate President.
"If I campaign 90 days around the country, and I said, we need to strengthen the opposition, I don't think we would've won. And that's precisely why I'm taking this position because this is what we campaign for, this is what the people expect us: to deliver in terms of our campaign policy," he said.
“And that’s why I hope they understand. This has little to do with compromising on our positions on issues because as we’ve shown when the issue requires a principled stand or based on what I believe in, we will take a position.” he added.
Pangilinan noted how the Philippines--an agricultural country--lagged behind its Southeast Asian neighbors. For example, the country's annual agricultural exports are at $7 billion, way lower than Vietnam's $62 billion.
Prices of meat are also more expensive in the Philippines than its neighboring countries of Thailand and Vietnam, he added.
"For example, pork, it's P150 less expensive in Thailand and Vietnam," he said. "Fish can be anywhere between P300 to P500 less expensive."
The senator stressed that "We're actually facing a food crisis, and the administration has declared a rice emergency crisis."
Prices of food continue to rise, and so does hunger, he noted.
"So really it's a food crisis, and that's why I took on the chairmanship of agriculture," he added.