Former Senator and senatorial candidate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan made a strong push for his Senate bid in Cebu City on Wednesday, highlighting his solid and untainted track record in public service and vowing to champion needed reforms for the country.


Addressing supporters at the “Kita Kiks sa Cebu Rally” held at Plaza Independencia, Pangilinan urged voters to choose leaders with integrity and a proven history of honest governance.


“Ihalal natin yung may track record. Huwag na tayong maghahalal ng mga sinungaling, ng magnanakaw, nang-aabuso sa pwesto, para magkaroon ng mas maayos na trabaho sa gobyerno at magiging tapat at totoo,” Pangilinan told the jam-packed crowd.


“‘Pag tapat at totoo ang mananalo, ‘pag tapat at totoo ang magseserbisyo, mapapawi na–sabi nila–mababawasan nang husto ang hindi maayos na pangyayari sa ating bansa. Mamili po tayo ng karapat-dapat,” he added.


In his three terms as senator, Pangilinan said he was never involved in any corruption scandal and never betrayed the trust of the Filipino people. Instead, he remained focused on advancing their welfare by advocating for vital legislation aimed at improving their lives.”


“Tatlong termino, ni minsan wala kayong narinig na ako’y nasangkot sa anumang kasong anomalya. Dahil pag kayo ay pinaglilingkuran, dapat tapat, dapat totoo. Hindi dapat nagtataksil ang mga pulitiko. Hindi dapat nagtataksil ang lingkod bayan,” he said.


Pangilinan said the latest endorsements from Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, the Jesus is Lord Movement, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Gary Valenciano, and Piolo Pascual, among others, are strong affirmations of his credibility and competence.


“Ang ibig sabihin po niyan, hindi po sila nalilinlang ng fake news. Hindi sila naniniwala sa kasinungalingan. Nakita nila ang katotohanan tungkol sa ating kakayahan kaya tayo inindorso at sinusuportahan,” he said.


With the Senate race tightening, Pangilinan called on his supporters to ramp up efforts in the final stretch of the campaign by going house-to-house, reaching out to family, friends, and loved ones, and using social media to spread his advocacies.


“Ako po si Kiko Pangilinan, tumatakbo para sa mga naniniwala na may pag-asa pa ang Pilipinas. Ako po si Kiko Pangilinan. Tulungan po ninyo at ipakita natin na maaaring manalo ang lumalaban nang patas, maaaring manalo ang hindi magnanakaw, maaaring manalo ang Republika ng Pilipinas,” he ended.


Pangilinan was joined at the rally by his wife, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, and other celebrities, including Piolo Pascual, Gary Valenciano, Kuh Ledesma, Pinky Amador, and Darren Espanto.