"May the last man standing be a farmer."

This was how aspiring vice president Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan concluded his attendance in the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) vice presidential debates Sunday, March 20.

Pangilinan has affirmed that his experience as a lawmaker, food security secretary, and as a farmer will make him an effective Vice President if elected come May.

"Sa araw ng halalan, sa Mayo, matapos ang mahabang kampanya, sa tulong ng ating mga kababayan at sa awa ng Diyos, sa vice-presidential race, nawa'y (On election day in May, after the long campaign, with the help of our fellowmen and with the grace of God, in the vice-presidential race, may) the last man standing is a farmer," Pangilinan said in his closing statement during the first round of the vice presidential debates organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday night, March 20.

Pangilinan said he will bank on his experiences as a Senator, his 10-year experience as a farmer, and on his term as a food security secretary to be an effective Vice President.

The lawmaker said he will lead by the example shown by running mate, Vice President Leni Robredo, if he will succeed her, as he highlighted his non-involvement in any corruption acts or anomaly in his tenure as a public official.

"Tayo naman, ni minsan sa ating panunungkulan, never tayong nasangkot sa isang kaso o anomalya (We were never involved in any case or anomaly during our term)," he said.

"In our case, three terms as Senator, we've never been involved in any case of corruption," he also said when sought for reaction by fellow candidate, Manny Lopez, on the involvement of lawmakers in the infamous pork barrel scam.

During the debates, he also reiterated his advocacy such as the full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act, which encourages the government to directly purchase agriculture products from the farmers and fishers to boost their earning.

He also proposed the modernization of the country's judiciary "so that our corruption drive will be meaningful."

"Paano matatakot ang mga kurakot kung mabagal ang paglilitis, karamihan abswelto (How will the corrupt be scared if our justice system is slow, most are acquitted)," the Senator said.

Pangilinan said the judiciary must be strengthened, well-budgeted, with sufficient number of courts and judges, to make it a strong anti-corruption agency.