Kiko Pangilinan vows honest governance as he tries to woo Bulacan voters

Former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Tuesday vowed to provide honest governance as he tries to win the province of Bulacan in his re-election bid in the upcoming May elections. 

Pangilinan held a campaign sortie in Malolos, Bulacan as he highlighted his advocacy for food security, low food prices, and free breakfasts for schoolchildren. 

While his wife actress-singer Sharon Cuneta was not able to accompany him at the rally, the senatorial candidate said that leading the people is also similar to how you treat your life partner. 

“Kapag mahal mo, hindi mo sinasaktan. Ganun din dapat ang lingkod bayan, hindi dapat sinasaktan ang ating mga botante. Dapat nagiging tapat at totoo. Hindi nagnanakaw, hindi nagsisinungaling,” he said. 

(When you love someone, you don't hurt them. The same should be true for a servant, our voters should not be hurt. They should be honest and truthful. They don't steal, they don't lie.) 

Pangilinan also pointed out that he would not need to spend billions just to boost his campaign. 

“Sa kampanyang ito, 32 days na lamang, maraming mga kandidato sa pagka-senador, bilyon-bilyon na ang ginagasta….Hindi ko kaya at ayokong tapatan ang inyong magiging matamis na oo sa ganyang paraan,” he said. 

(There are only 32 days left in this campaign and many senatorial candidates are already spending billions... I cannot and do not want to get your sweet yes in that way.) 

He added that his track record could woo voters in the Central Luzon province. According to the Philippine Information Agency, Bulacan has 2,183,281 registered voters.

“Una, ginagalang ko kayo. Naniniwala ako na isasama niyo ako sa balota….Isasama niyo ako dahil sa aking mga resibo, sa aking pagkatao, at sa aking kakayahan. Hindi dahil sa bilyong piso na halagang ginagasta ko. Nagtitiwala ako sa inyo bilang lingkod bayan, tapat at totoo,” Pangilinan also said. 

(First, I respect you. I believe that you will include me on your ballots….You will include me because of my receipts, my character, and my ability. Not because of the billions of pesos I spend. I trust you as an honest and truthful public servant.) 

“Tatlong beses niyo ako hinalal bilang senador dito sa beses. Tatlong beses akong nanalo dito sa Bulacan. Sa tatlong termino, hindi tayo pumayag na masangkot sa anumang kaso o anomalya.” 

(You elected me as senator three times. I won three times here in Bulacan. In those three terms, we were not involved in any case or anomaly.) 

The event was attended by celebrity performers including Darren Espanto, Parokya ni Edgar vocalist Chito Miranda, Spongecola, Color It Red, Bayang Barrios, among others.

Earlier in the day, Pangilinan held a motorcade from Plaridel to Malolos where he also made courtesy calls with various mayors. 

In Plaridel, he secured the support of Mayor Jocell Vistan and Vice Mayor Lorie Vinta. 

Bocaue Mayor Jonjon Villanueva also expressed his support to Pangilinan’s candidacy. 

Pangilinan also earned the endorsement of Sta. Maria Mayor Omeng Ramos and his entire ticket, including Vice Mayor Eboy Juan. 

Turning to fun, inspiring online content to attract voters 

Pangilinan son Tuesday also said that he seeks to boost his reelection bid in the upcoming May 12 polls by producing “fun and inspiring” content online. 

“Sabi ko nga manlilimos tayo ng boto. Talagang iikot tayo hangga’t maari sa mga pinakamaraming lugar para maiabot natin ang ating mensahe sa ating mga kababayan. So pressing the flesh, face-to-face campaigning, of course, more content online also. To make sure that we have creative, inspiring, fresh, energetic content that may go viral,” he said in an interview with GMA News Online. 

(Just like what I said earlier, we are begging for votes. We will definitely go around as much as possible to get our message across to our countrymen. So pressing the flesh, face-to-face campaigning, and of course, more content online as well. To make sure that we have creative, inspiring, fresh, energetic content that may go viral.)

“And it should be also fun and inspiring, the campaign should not be masyadong serious, masyadong grim and determined. Dapat masayahin rin tayo kasi ang mga kababayan natin, kahit na hirap, talagang gusto nila ay natutuwa, natatawa,” Pangilinan added. 

(And it should also be fun and inspiring, the campaign should not be too serious, too grim and determined. We should also be cheerful because our countrymen, even in hardship, really want to be happy, to laugh.) 

In the recent senatorial survey by the Social Weather Stations, Pangilinan ranked  behind the administration bets after ranking 14th with 24% rating in the March senatorial survey. 

However, Pangilinan remains positive as he and his team focuses on spreading his campaign message - ensuring food security in every household. 

“So we just have to keep pounding on our message and hopefully we will reach that critical mass. Mind you, sabi ng SWS, about 20% of the voters decide on the last two weeks. Malaki ‘yan. So kailangan lang talaga keep pounding lang on message discipline - food security, lowering food prices, libreng almusal,” he said.

With only a few weeks left, Pangilinan added: “I know in the end, our people are capable of making informed decisions. So we just have to make sure that information necessary to make informed decisions is made available to them.”

The campaign period will end on May 10. 

Pangilinan is currently having his solo campaigns in various cities and provinces including Nueva Ecija, Antipolo City, Bulacan, among others.

After last serving as senator in 2022, Pangilinan tried his luck in the vice presidential race along with then Vice President Leni Robredo as his co-tandem in the national elections two years ago. However, both of them ranked second to eventual winners President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. —RF, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.