Amid speculations surrounding his possible alignment in the Senate, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Thursday, July 10, said that he's ready to work with all sides.

"Malaya silang magsalita. Pero malinaw ang aking paninindigan: handa akong makipagtulungan sa lahat ng panig—basta’t nakatuon sa prinsipyo at may malasakit—upang labanan ang mataas na presyo ng pagkain at ang gutom sa bansa (They are free to speak. But my position is clear: I am ready to work with all sides—as long as it is grounded on principles and compassion—to fight high food prices and hunger in the country)," he said in a statement

The senator acknowledged the circulation of posts and rumors about his political moves, including accusations that he may be “selling out” by working with certain groups in the Senate, but he remained unfazed.

Pangilinan reaffirmed his commitment to fighting hunger, corruption, and poverty.

“Naniniwala ako na ang pinakamalaking laban natin ay ang laban sa gutom, laban sa korupsyon, at laban sa kahirapan,” Pangilinan said.

“Ito ang laban na hinarap ko mula pa noong ako’y student leader noong dekada ’80. At ito rin ang laban na kailanman ay hindi ko tatalikuran,” he added.

On the other hand, he emphasized that his track record speaks for itself and that his focus has never changed. He recalled that during the Comelec-sponsored press conference when he filed his candidacy last October, he clearly stated that his priority would be addressing hunger, high food prices, and food security.

“Sinabi ko rin noon: handa akong isantabi ang bangayan sa pulitika at isulong ang pakikipagtulungan ng lehislatura at ehekutibo—kung ito ang kailangan para makapaghatid ng solusyon (I also said before: I am willing to set aside political bickering and promote collaboration between the legislature and the executive—if this is what it takes to deliver solutions),” he said.

“Ngayon, ginagawa ko lang sa abot ng aking makakaya ang mga binitiwan kong salita (Now, I am simply doing my best to live up to the words I have spoken),” he added.

He concluded with a firm resolve, regardless of what happens on July 28 when the Senate is expected to decide on key leadership roles.

“Kung anuman ang magiging opisyal na pasya sa Senado, maninindigan pa rin tayo nang puspusan—para pawiin ang gutom, para sa magsasaka at mangingisda, at para sa mababang presyo ng bigas at pagkain (Whatever the Senate’s official decision may be, we will continue to stand firm—with full resolve—to end hunger, to support our farmers and fisherfolk, and to ensure lower prices of rice and food),” he said.