Former senator Kiko Pangilinan's senatorial bid got a boost after several local officials in vote-rich Batangas expressed their support for him.

Lemery Mayor Ian Alilio, Batangas City Mayor Beverley Dimacuha, and Batangas 5th District Rep. Marvey Mariño personally endorsed Pangilinan, providing a significant boost to his senatorial bid with less than a month left before the May 12 elections.
Pangilinan barnstormed Batangas, paying courtesy visits to Nasugbu Mayor Tony Barcelon, Taal Mayor Pong Mercado, Agoncillo Mayor Cinderella Reyes and Vice Dan Reyes, as well as Alitagtag Mayor Dingdong Ponggos.
During his meetings with Batangas local officials, Pangilinan provided them with copies of the Sagip Saka Act that he championed in the Senate as principal author.
The law allows the national and local governments to directly purchase agricultural products without public bidding. It also eliminates the need for middlemen, allowing farmers to earn additional income as their products will be purchased at fair prices.
The former senator, who placed second in Batangas province in the 2022 vice presidential race, underscored the law’s importance for Batangas, which relies on agriculture as one of its economic drivers.
Pangilinan has reiterated his commitment to easing the burden of Filipinos affected by rising costs of food and other basic necessities, lamenting the everyday sacrifice experienced by Filipinos as they try to put food on the table, with the expected 30 percent increase in the retail price of fish during the Holy Week.
Insisting that food is not a privilege but a right, Pangilinan expressed his willingness to work with the government and private sector to bring down food prices.
Pangilinan began his Batangas campaign with a visit to Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas, engaging with students and seeking their support for his senatorial bid.
He also held a dialogue with the Samahang Mandaragat ng Butong in Taal, Batangas, where he discussed his plans to support the fisherfolk sector if he wins a Senate seat.