Kiko Pangilinan, hindi nakadalo sa proclamation dahil dumalo sa graduation ng anak

- Kiko Pangilinan missed the Senate proclamation on May 17 to attend his daughter Frankie’s college graduation in the United States - He was represented by his sister Maricel Pangilinan Arenas, who delivered his emotional message dedicating the win to farmers, workers, solo parents, and struggling families - Pangilinan secured 5th place in the senatorial race with over 15 million votes, despite consistently ranking outside the top 12 in pre-election surveys - His campaign focused on agriculture and food security, promising to lower food prices, build food banks in barangays, and expand feeding programs Senator-elect Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan was absent from the Commission on Elections’ proclamation ceremony on Saturday, May 17, as he is in the United States attending his daughter Frankie’s college graduation, according to a statement from his office.

In his stead, his sister Maricel Pangilinan Arenas represented him during the event and delivered a heartfelt message on his behalf.

“Para sa bawat magsasaka at mangingisda, bawat manggagawa, bawat solo parent, bawat inang nagtitipid at yung isusubo na lang niya ay ibibigay niya sa kaniyang mga anak, bawat ama o inang nahihiwalay sa kaniyang mga anak mapaaral lang sila, mapaangat lang ang kanilang buhay, para sa inyong lahat ang tagumpay na ito,” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan secured the fifth spot in the senatorial race with 15,343,229 votes — a result he described as a “miracle” considering pre-election surveys placed him outside the winning circle. A veteran lawmaker, Pangilinan served in the Senate from 2001 to 2013 and returned in 2016.

Between terms, he held the post of Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization under the late President Benigno Aquino III from 2014 to 2015. He ran for vice president in the 2022 elections but lost to now Vice President Sara Duterte.

In his 2025 Senate comeback under the Liberal Party, Pangilinan continued championing agriculture and food security.

His platform included lowering food prices, creating barangay-level food banks through public-private partnerships, and expanding feeding programs to combat malnutrition.

News, photos or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, such could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In other news, Arnie Benedicto, the Barangay Captain of Lantad, Silay City and the primary suspect in the fatal shooting of the supporters of the incumbent mayor of the said city, has surrendered to the authorities. It can be recalled that early on Monday, May 12, 2025, news about the fatal shooting that resulted in two deaths and seven injuries spread like wildfire online. The shooting incident is claimed to be linked to alleged vote buying monitoring activities. Witnesses say the violence erupted after Benedicto reportedly fired upon volunteers of “Team Ugyon” who were monitoring alleged vote-buying activities outside a property associated with “Team Asenso.”

Still in other news, a 65-year-old man, Nestor Rensales, died after voting in Oas, Albay during the midterm elections. Rensales, a stroke survivor, felt dizzy and collapsed shortly after casting his vote at Oas South Central Elementary School, ABS-CBN reported. His wife shared that he insisted on voting despite the heat and early crowd, believing his vote still mattered. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Source: KAMI.com.gh