By VINCE ANGELO FERRERAS, GMA Integrated News
Former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said his experience in the Senate would help him advance legislation focused on food security and lowering food prices across the country.
“Gagamitin natin yung karanasan na yun, yung alam natin, knowledgeable sa Senate legislative work at matitiyak natin walang kulay ang gutom kaya dapat talaga isantabi itong pulitika. Magtulungan tayo. Ang gulo-gulo na ng Pilipinas, wag na natin dagdagan pa,” Pangilinan said during a visit to Butuan City on Sunday.
(We will use that experience and knowledge of legislative work in the Senate to ensure that hunger has no political color. We must set politics aside and work together. The Philippines is already in turmoil; let’s not add to it.)
He emphasized that addressing economic issues should be the priority: “Paano mababawasan yung gulo? Tumutok sa trabaho, tumutok dito sa pagpapababa ng presyo ng bigas. Palagay ko, lahat tayo, lahat ng mga magiging senador hindi naman siguro tututol diyan. Syempre, isusulong pa rin ang mga paraan para mapababa itong presyo ng masyadong maraming gastusin.”
(How can we ease the country’s problems? By focusing on our work—specifically, on lowering the price of rice. I believe all future senators would agree. Of course, we must continue to push for ways to reduce living expenses overall.)
Pangilinan’s platform includes a free breakfast program for students from preschool to Grade 12, which would require schools to source food from local farmers and fisherfolk.
He is also advocating for amendments to Republic Act No. 11321, or the Sagip Saka Law—which he authored—to provide tax incentives to businesses supporting the agriculture sector.
Pangilinan last served in the Senate in 2022 and ran for vice president alongside then-Vice President Leni Robredo in the 2022 national elections. Both were defeated by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.
Wage hike advocacy
If elected, Pangilinan also pledged to support the proposed P200 daily minimum wage increase for private sector workers.
“Sinusuportahan natin itong panawagan na magkaroon ng legislated minimum wage. Ang hinihingi ng ating manggagawa P200 across the board. Yan sa atin, in principle, we are willing to support that,” Pangilinan said in a radio interview on Monday.
(We support the call for a legislated minimum wage. Our workers are demanding a P200 increase across the board, and in principle, we are willing to support that.)
He stressed the need for the measure, citing the rising cost of basic goods: “At syempre, ang taas na ng presyo ng bilihin, hindi naman tumataas ang sahod ng ating mga kababayan kaya kailangan nila… Kapag tayo ay pinalad at napanalo natin ito, ipaglalaban natin ang minimum wage legislation.”
(With the soaring prices of goods and stagnant wages, our fellow Filipinos need this legislation. If we succeed, we will fight for the passage of the minimum wage law.)
The proposed wage hike has already been approved on second reading in the House of Representatives.
Proper use of funds
Meanwhile, Pangilinan’s ally, former Senator Bam Aquino, stressed the importance of properly utilizing government funds to uplift the country.
“Kung nasa tamang lugar lang ang paggastos ng kaban ng bayan, napakarami pong kayang umangat sa ating bansa. Napakaraming bagay ang puwedeng mapondohan,” Aquino said during an event in Baguio City.
(If government funds are spent on the right projects, so many areas of our nation could prosper.)
He added: “Kung ang pera ng bayan, napangangalagaan, pinoprotektahan, at na-a-allocate sa tama, kayang umangat ng ating bansa,” dagdag pa niya.”
(If the people’s money is safeguarded, protected, and properly allocated, conditions in our country would improve.)
Voter education
Meanwhile, TRABAHO party-list launched a campaign on responsible voting on its social media platforms.
According to a statement, the TRABAHO party-list’s voters’ guide was in a reel format.
It contains general reminders on how to cast a vote for a party-list, noting that every voter may only vote for one. The vote will not be counted if there is more than one party-list voted in the ballot.
A visual guide on how to look for the TRABAHO party-list on the ballot was also illustrated.
"Voting is not just a right, it's a responsibility," said TRABAHO party-list spokesperson Mitchell-David Espiritu.
"By ensuring they are registered and know their precincts, Filipinos can better participate in shaping a government that truly represents the people, especially the working class," he added
If it wins a seat in the House of Representatives, TRABAHO party-list vowed to push for sustainable employment opportunities, equitable wages, and enhanced worker protections.— with a report from Mariel Celine Serquiña/DVM, GMA Integrated News
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