Pangilinan sets sights on working with Robredo, not Marcos

Instead of directly answering the question on the possibility of a Marcos-Pangilinan administration, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said he would continue working for his advocacies—improving the food security and fighting for the rights of fisherfolk and farmers.

He told audience of CNN’s “The Filipino Votes: Vice Presidential Debate” that the better option would be to vote for him and standard bearer Vice President Leni Robredo “para tapat na gobyerno at iaangat nga natin ang lahat at ‘yun ang ating pakay (so an honest government and everyone’s lives will improve and that’s our goal).

The senator said that voting for both of them will ensure unity and cooperation.

“Ngayon (Now), having said that, tayo magtratrabaho para sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda at food security ano man ang maging resulta ng halalan. At kung tayo ay palarin (we are going to work for farmers and fisherfolk and food security whatever the result of the elections. And if we get lucky),” Pangilinan added.

But he emphasized that he is ready to give his best as a vice president because he knew from the start when he accepted Robredo’s request for him to run that his duty would be a tall order.

Pangilinan recalled tearing up when he was faced with the decision.

“Ang isang dahilan ay dahil nakita ko ang mabigat na tungkulin ng isang magiging vice president at mabigat na mga problema ng ating bansa (One reason is I saw the heavy task of being a vice president and the heavy problem of our country),” he said.

Despite knowing the task ahead, the senator decided to accept the invitation because Filipinos are going through a more difficult time after losing loved ones and livelihood.

Ever since he was a young lawyer, Pangilinan said he has been providing free legal services to the poor.

“Sa pagkakataong ‘yun, titiyakin natin, uunahin natin yung mga nasa laylayan, ‘yung mahihirap nating mga kababayan (In that instance, we will make sure we will prioritize those in the fringes, the very poor of our fellowmen),” he added.