Liberal Party (LP) chairman President Benigno S. Aquino III raises the hands of the administration senate slate for the 2016 national elections during the Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid: Ang Pagpapakilala at the Balay Expo Centro Building in EDSA corner McArthur Avenue, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City on Monday (October 12). The 12 senatorial bets includes COOP NATCCO party-list Representative Cresente Paez; Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) director and former Akbayan party-list Representative Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel; former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Emmanuel “Joel” Villanueva; former Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla; Senator Ralph Recto; Senate President Franklin Drilon; former Senator and former food security czar Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan; former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima; Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary for Muslim Affairs and Special Concerns Nariman Ambolodto; Senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona III; and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) general manger and chief operating officer Mark Lapid. Also in photo are LP Presidential Candidate former DILG Secretary Manuel Roxas II; LP Vice Presidential Candidate Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo; and LP vice chairman and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. (MNS photo)
MANILA, Oct 14 (Mabuhay) — Former food security czar Francis Pangilinan and Senate President Franklin Drilon Wednesday filed their certificates of candidacy for senator at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila.
Pangilinan was accompanied by his wife, actress Sharon Cuneta, and their two children, Miel and Miguel.
In an interview before he entered the Commission on Elections office in Intramuros, Manila, Pangilinan said he would focus on agriculture.
“Bilang dating food secretary tayo ay naniniwala na mataas ang presyo ng mga bilihin lalo na ang pagkain dahil kulang ang suporta sa mga magsasaka,” he said.
“Kung bibigyan ng suporta ang mga dadami ang kanilang ani, bababa ang presyo ng mga bilihin, giginhawa ang buhay ng mamamayan. Gusto nating palakasin ang agrikultura para matugunan ang hanapbuhay at trabaho,” he added.
Pangilinan is running under the Liberal Party.
In his speech after signing the Integrity Pledge, Pangilinan said he seeks to continue his work for food security at the Senate.
Meanwhile, Drilon filed his COC on Wednesday through his brother, Cesar Jr.
According to his brother, the Senate chief cannot make it to the five-day filing period due to a previous commitment. Drilon is seeking re-election in the coming 2016 polls. (MNS)