If Vice President Leni Robredo wins and he doesn’t, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said on Saturday, Feb. 26, that he would prefer a Cabinet post in agriculture and fisheries.
This will bring the senator back to his post as a food security czar during the time of the late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
“Depende po sa ating magiging pangulo na si Presidente Leni Robredo...Pero kung ano man may kinalaman sa agrikultura at pangingisda, ‘yun ang ating tatanggapin (It depends on our president, President Leni Robredo...but whatever is related to agriculture and fisheries, that’s what I am going to accept),” Pangilinan said during the CNN’s “The Filipino Votes: Vice Presidential Debate.”
The debate was attended by Pangilinan, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, progressive leader Walden Bello, Rizalito David, Manny Lopez, Dr. Willie Ong, and Carlos Serapio.
Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio did not attend.
Pangilinan stressed that as food security chief before, he was responsible for stopping the increase of rice prices by fighting against the rice cartel and smuggling.
He also eliminated the kickbacks from the importation of rice that led to some P3.7 billion in savings.
“Ako lang ang kandidato na isinusulong at gagawa ng solusyon at sinesentro ang problema ng gutom, mataas na presyo ng pagkain, at agrikultura (I am the only candidate that will push for and create solutions and make the problems of hunger, rising costs of food, and agriculture central),” Pangilinan said.
The key to empowering fisherfolk and farmers is to give them “ayuda (assistance).”
The senator said that will improve food security in the country and lower the cost of products and services.
Quoting Robredo, his presidential candidate, Pangilinan assured that he will lead an honest governance. “Makakasa sila sa akin dito (They can rely on me on this).”