Senator Francis ‘’Kiko’’ N. Pangilinan on Friday October 8 said it was not easy for him and his movie actress wife, Sharon Cuneta, to decide whether he would throw his hat into the vice presidential race.

In his vice presidential bid, Pangilinan will go head to head against his colleagues in the 24-member Senate. They are Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and Senator Christopher ‘’Bong’’ Go. There are other candidates for the vice presidency.

After discussing and praying about it, the decision for Pangilinan to run was made by Sharon who told him that she would be where he wants to be.

‘’it was not easy. We prayed about it. Nag-usap kami (We talked about it). Tumawag ako sa kanya. She was in New York then, kasama si Frankie (I called her up and she was in New York. She was with our daughter, Frankie).Tinext ko rin si KC about this (I also texted KC about this). Meron kaming mga (we had) text messages exchange,’’ he added.

‘’Because in the end, and I know Ma’am Leni will agree with me, it’s not really as difficult for me, that is my experience, for the candidate than it is for the family. Kasi talaga ang laki ng sakripisyo nila (I know the sacrifice they make). At iyong pagsusuporta (And that is their support),’’ he explained.

Pangilinan issued the statement during a joint press conference with Vice President Leni Robredo who filed her certificate of candidacy with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the presidency yesterday. Pangilinan filed his COC today.

As to her chances of winning, Robredo recalled that she won in the congressional race although she raced against a strong political dynasty in Camarines Sur.

She also said that at the start of the vice presidential race against five other bets in 2016, she started at the bottom but she started a slow climb.

Pangilinan also said that conventional wisdom says you have to declare early so that you can ensure that your voters, supporters will mobilize and prepare but the evidence is to the contrary especially during the 2010 and 2016 elections where the winners were the last to declare their intention to run.

‘’In the fact the contrary is true, The contrary is true. Yung huling nagdeklara, yon pa ang nanalo (The last person to declare won).

Filing of COCs started late last week.

Robredo filed her COC on October,7 a day before the October 8 deadline.

Pangilinan filed his COC today, October 8.

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