(Screenshot from former senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan’s Facebook page)

AGRI Party-list has endorsed the senatorial bid of Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan despite what the latter described as the "orchestrated" and "well-funded" online trolling and bashing against him.

The party-list, represented by Wilbert T. Lee in the 19th Congress, found common ground with former senator Pangilinan in the fight for reduced food prices and food security.

AGRI Party-list and former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan have forged a shared commitment in addressing the country’s food crisis and rising food prices.

“Gaya ni Senator Kiko, naniniwala ang AGRI Party-list na ang gutom at kahirapan, walang kulay. Ang solusyon, walang dapat hinihintay (Like Senator Kiko, the AGRI Party-list believes that hunger and poverty have no color. Solutions should not be delayed),” Lee said in a recent statement. 

“Tiwala tayo at nagpapasalamat na ang mga ipinaglalaban natin sa Kongreso para sa murang pagkain ay siya ring isinusulong ni Senator Kiko at ipagpapatuloy niya sa pagbabalik niya sa Senado,” he added.

(We trust and are grateful that what we are fighting for in Congress—affordable food—is also being advocated by Senator Kiko and will be continued upon his return to the Senate.)

AGRI Party-list, which is running for reelection in the May 12 mid-term polls, said Pangilinan’s track record speaks for itself: “Kay Senator Kiko, may lider tayo na hindi lang nakikiusap kundi kumikilos para sa kapakanan ng mga magsasaka, mangingisda at consumer.”

(With Senator Kiko, we have a leader who not only speaks but acts for the welfare of farmers, fishermen, and consumers.)

“Hindi siya nangangako lang, may napatunayan na siya (He doesn't just make promises; he has already proven himself)," it added.

Pangilinan, a Liberal Party (LP) stalwart, is being picked on by certain netizens for eating rice and carabao milk on a pot cover. He said these criticisms are part of broader, well-organized move to discredit his candidacy.

Pangilinan was the principal author of the Sagip Saka Act, which has helped increase farmers’ and fisherfolk’s incomes by linking them directly to institutional buyers. He also led efforts to strengthen local food production and protect agricultural workers from economic shocks.

Pangilinan’s campaign continues to focus on addressing the food crisis through concrete solutions, including agricultural modernization, lower food production costs, and stronger support for farmers and fisherfolk.