Vice presidential aspirant Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan is optimistic that his candidacy is gaining momentum despite the emerging pairing of his running mate Vice President Leni Robredo with other vice presidential bets.
Pangilinan said while politicians make the endorsements, his bid's fate will still be decided by the voters.
"n the end, taumbayan naman, hindi ng mga pulitiko ang magde-decide (the people will decide, not the politicians)," the senator said Thursday, March 31.
The lawmaker, who is an agriculture advocate, believes that his message of food security, fighting hunger, and his agenda in uplifting the lives of farmers and fishers are now gaining ground and would eventually help him get votes.
"Mas marami pang makukuha tayong suporta. So hayaan na natin yung mga pulitiko gawin ang gusto nila, pero tayo nakatutok sa ating mga kababayan at sila naman talaga ang magpapasiya pagdating ng araw ng halalan (We will be getting more support. So let politicians do what they want, we are focusing on the people because they will be the ones making the decision come election day)," Pangilinan said.
The aspiring vice president also expressed confidence that the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem is actually gaining momentum despite the recent endorsements of Robredo with other vice presidential bets by local politicians.
"So palagay ko kaya ginagawa lang natin ito ngayon dahil nararamdaman na malakas na talaga, lumalakas ang momentum namin ni VP Leni (I think, we are doing this now because we can feel that we are getting stronger, VP Leni and I are gaining momentum)," Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan missed the Eastern Samar Grand People’s Rally in Borongan City on March 29 after learning that local officials in Eastern Samar wanted to endorse only Robredo. He decided not to attend the rally to ensure local officials will come out “in full force” for Robredo.
The senator said despite the current developments, he will carry on with how he has been doing his campaigns as he believes that politicians coming out to endorse Robredo will also eventually benefit him as her running mate.
"We’re just doing what we have done and will continue to do what we’re doing. The people are coming out in tens of thousands. Nararamdaman ng pulitiko ‘yon kaya nga ine-endorse na si VP (Politicians can already feel it, that's why they are starting to endorse the VP)," he said.
"E, 'pagka mas lalo nila maramdaman, e dadating din ang panahon e
baka ako na rin ang i-endorse nila. So, tingnan natin. Marami pang mangyayari (And if they continue to feel it, time might come that they will endorse me too. So, let's see. A lot of things may still happen)," he added.
The RoSa (Robredo-Sara) movement has been launched by some local leaders to pair Robredo with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte for the two highest positions in the land.
READ MORE: Pangilinan explains absence in Eastern Samar rally