Kiko Pangilinan says laws he authored and sponsored, track record his ‘resibo’

Former senator Kiko Pangilinan belied comments online that he had no accomplishments during his previous 18 years in the Senate, saying he authored over 200 bills and several of them were signed into law.   

“Hindi totoo na wala tayong nagawa. Pag nakita ninyo yung 200 plus na mga batas na naipasa natin, bilang author, co-sponsor, sponsor, at pag nakita ‘yung mga programang naimplementa na natin at yung ating track record, yung resibo ay mas lalong makukumbinsi pa,” Pangilinan said in an interview in his Cebu campaign stop.  

(It is not true that we have no accomplishments to show. We authored and co-authored proposed bills, and when people see our track record, we will be able to convince them.) 

Among the bills authored or co-authored by Pangilinan that became laws include:

• the Sagip Saka Act, which mandates both the national and local governments to purchase goods directly from farmers and fishermen for their respective programs and projects;
• the Student Fare Discount Act, which provides students a 20-percent discount on public utility vehicles (buses, jeepneys, taxis) and other vehicles for hire (tricycle, passenger trains, airplanes and marine vessels) while they are enrolled; and
• the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law, which increases the number of days of paid maternity leave to 105 days from 60 days for normal delivery and 78 days for caesarian section.

Pangilinan is seeking to return to the Senate for his fourth six-year term in the 2025 polls, and has been campaigning on ensuring food security for all, including the Free Breakfast for all public school students until Grade 12 to ensure nutrition among students and that the local produce will be bought by the government.

“Ang pagkain, hindi dapat maging pribilehiyo, kundi isang karapatan. Prayoridad nating pababain ang presyo ng mga pagkain at handa tayong makipagtulungan kahit kanino,” he said. 

(Food should not be a privilege, but a right. That is why our priority is to bring down the prices of food and we are ready to work with people who share the same goal.) 

Leni boosts Bam in Naga

Also on Thursday, former vice president and Naga City mayoralty bet Leni Robredo joined former Senator Bam Aquino’s campaign stop in the Camarines Sur city.

“Pakiusap ko sa inyo, maglagay tayo ng mga siguradong kakampi ng mga taga-Bicol sa Senado kagaya ni Senador Bam Aquino,” Robredo said.

(I am appealing to you, let’s elect an ally of the Bicolanos in the Senate like Senator Bam Aquino.)  

Aquino, for his part, said he will be a voice of the Filipino people given a chance to serve again in the Senate.

“Kausap namin mga magsasaka, mangingisda, estudyante, senior citizen, jeepney drivers, tricycle drivers, at call center agents. Marami sa mga solusyon na hinahanap nila, abot-kamay naman, kailangan lang may nakikinig at may magbubuo ng mga polisiya, programa, at batas na tutugon sa kanilang pangangailangan. Kapag tayo'y makabalik sa Senado, tayo ang magsisilbing boses ng mga walang boses," he added.  

(We have reached out to farmers, fisherfolk, students, senior citizens, jeepney drivers, tricycle drivers and call center agents, and they are looking for solutions to their plights. If we make it to the Senate, we will immediately work on solutions to address their needs.) 

Aquino also promised to expand his Free College Law to accommodate more students and ensure sufficient funding for the subsidies under the law, providing additional support to underprivileged students for their daily allowances, meals, and other school-related needs. — BM, GMA Integrated News

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