Kiko Pangilinan on possibly joining Senate majority: ‘Hunger has no color’

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Thursday maintained that he is willing to work with all political parties in a bid to address high food prices and hunger in the country.

This, amid speculations that he and Senator Bam Aquino—-both of whom were endorsed and supported by Senator Risa Hontiveros during the 2025 midterm elections—-will be joining the Senate majority bloc. 

“I’ve read reports, read posts on social media for and against, and I’ve been told of rumblings regarding political alignments. Critics say I will be ‘selling out to the enemy’ should I pursue a certain path. They are free to say what they wish,” Pangilinan said in a Facebook post. 

“I did publicly express a willingness to work with all parties along principled boundaries to bring down high food prices and hunger. I know who I am, I know what I stand for. My political track record is an open book,” he added. 

The returning senator also recalled his previous statement that he is open to setting aside partisan politics so both the legislative and executive branches of the government “can work together effectively to deliver solutions.”

“In this regard, I believe what I ought to do, amidst all the chatter, the brickbats, is to focus on what I said I would do and simply walk the walk,” Pangilinan said. 

He also explained that he, Aquino, and Hontiveros are still talking to discuss their plans once the 20th Congress begins its first regular session later this month. 

“Kung anuman ang magiging opisyal at pinal na pasya sa Senado sa July 28, maninindigan pa rin tayo nang puspusan para pawiin ang gutom para sa magsasaka at mangingisda at para sa mababang presyo ng bigas at pagkain,” he said. 

(Regardless of what our official and final decision in the Senate on July 28 will be, we will still stand firm to address hunger for farmers and fishermen, and to lower the prices of rice and food.) 

Not hurt

Senator Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, said she was not hurt by the possibility of Pangilinan and Aquino joining the majority bloc. 

“Hindi ako nahu-hurt dahil, ‘yun na nga eh, sabi ko nga, basta patuloy akong maninindigan,” Hontiveros said in an ambush interview at the Department of Justice on Wednesday.

(I am not hurt because, as I said, I will continue to fight.)

“Kung ang bawat isa sa amin ay may sariling diskarte, ako rin naman po, basta nakatutok pa rin ako do’n sa layunin na palakasin 'yung oposisyon, hindi lang sa loob, pati sa labas ng Senado,” she added.

(If each one of us has our own strategies, I am like that as well, I will focus on the goal to strengthen the opposition, not only within but also outside the Senate.)

Hontiveros, who was part of the two-man minority bloc in the 19th Congress along with former Senate minority leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, said she is still monitoring the developments in the Senate.

The lady senator, however, maintained that she will become an independent senator.

“Basta para sa akin, mananatili akong independent senator para katuwang ako nung palalakasin na oposisyon sa labas, sa buong bansa,” she said.

(As for me, I will be an independent senator to help strengthen the opposition nationwide.)

Hontiveros had floated the possibility of joining or forming an independent bloc in the 20th Congress, saying that it is “more realistic” to do so considering the numbers.—AOL, GMA Integrated News