FORMER senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan yesterday denied reported ongoing talks for his possible inclusion in the administration’s “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas” senatorial ticket.
Reports that Pangilinan and former senator Bam Aquino are being eyed by the administration to be part of its slate came out after Sen. Imee Marcos bolted the alliance due to her opposition to the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
“There have been no discussion between my camp and Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas. Our campaign remains independent and focused on our core advocacy – fighting high food prices and ensuring food security for every Filipino family,” Pangilinan said in a statement.
Alyansa campaign manager Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco likewise denied that he had a meeting with Pangilinan and former senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino to discuss their inclusion in the administration’s senatorial slate.
“That’s completely untrue. I haven’t met with Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan. The Alyansa slate is solid and fully aligned with President Bongbong Marcos’ agenda,” Tiangco said in a statement.
Palace Communications undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos’ withdrawal from the Alyansa was probably for the best if she does not share the advocacies and platforms of the administration slate.
“If she does not share the beliefs and programs of the Alyansa, it is probably best that she leaves a sit many not lead to a good relationship),” Castro said in Filipino in a briefing in Malacañang.
Pangilinan said he is willing to cooperate with other political parties who share the same platform.
“Hindi ito usapin ng partido o kulay. Handa tayo makipagtulungan sa lahat ng mga partido – Alyansa man o PDP o iba pang mga grupo sa ngalan ng bawa’t pamilyang Pilipino na hindi na makabili ng sapat na pagkain dahil sa taas ng presyo (This is not about political party or color. I am willing to cooperate with all political parties – be it Alyansa, PDP [Partido Demokratiko Pilipino], or any other group for the sake of the Filipino people who cannot afford to buy enough food due to its high prices),” he said.
Pangilinan reaffirmed his commitment to pursue food security, support for farmers and fisherfolk, and long-term agricultural reforms.
“Our focus is clear: ‘Hello, Pagkain sa Mababang Presyo.’ Walang kulay ang gutom at ang solusyon sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin ay dapat pagtulungan nating lahat anuman ang Partido (Our focus is clear: ‘Hello, Affordable Food Prices.’ Hunger has no color, and we must unite to help bring down food prices no matter what our political parties are),” he said.
IMEE AND PBBM
The presidential sister yesterday said her brother, President Marcos Jr., got upset at her for conducting an investigation on the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
She said it is part of her job as a senator to determine what really happened when the former president was arrested because she saw the people getting emotional and holding rallies protesting the political development.
She defended that the hearing was not “anti-administration,” pointing out that most of the resource persons during the Committee on Foreign Relations hearing last week were mostly from the government.
“I did not know their answers that’s why I was asking questions…I think they got upset with me for exposing that (irregularities in the arrest) during the hearing,” she said in a mix of Filipino and English.
“I was surprised when he got mad because I think the answers didn’t match and were not in agreement. But it’s not my fault because I don’t know what they’re going to say,” she added.
The senator said she conducted the hearing not as a form of campaigning for her reelection bid, but to know the truth behind Duterte’s arrest.
“I did not conduct the hearing to show off or to be endorsed, or be part of any political party. I did it to know the truth and to determine if Philippines laws were followed),” she said.
Castro said the president has not commented on his relationship with his sister.
“We have not heard any word from the president. She was the only one saying those things. That is probably her view but we have not heard anything from the president),” Castro said. – With Wendell Vigilia and Jocelyn Montemayor
