Former Senator and senatorial aspirant Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan secured the endorsements of several local officials on Thursday during his visit to vote-rich Batangas.


Lemery Mayor Ian Alilio, Batangas City Mayor Beverley Dimacuha, and Batangas 5th District Rep. Marvey Mariño personally endorsed Pangilinan, providing a significant boost to his senatorial bid with less than a month left before the May 12 elections.


“Magandang araw sa mga kababayan ko sa bayan ng Lemery. Kasama natin ngayon ang napakagaling na senator, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, na isa ko po sa sinasamahan sa mga senador na lumalaban ngayon sa panahon ng kampanyahan,” Mayor Alilio said in his endorsement message after raising the hand of Pangilinan and doing the “Kiko” hand sign.


Pangilinan barnstormed Batangas, paying courtesy visits to Nasugbu Mayor Tony Barcelon, Taal Mayor Pong Mercado, Agoncillo Mayor Cinderella Reyes and Vice Dan Reyes, as well as Alitagtag Mayor Dingdong Ponggos.


During his meetings with Batangas local officials, Pangilinan provided them with copies of the Sagip Saka Act that he championed in the Senate as principal author.


The law allows the national and local governments to directly purchase agricultural products without public bidding. It also eliminates the need for middlemen, allowing farmers to earn additional income as their products will be purchased at fair prices.


The former Senator, who placed 2nd in Batangas province in the 2022 vice presidential race, underscored the law’s importance for Batangas, which relies on agriculture as one of its economic drivers.


Pangilinan began his Batangas campaign with a visit to Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas, engaging with students and seeking their support for his senatorial bid.


He also held a dialogue with the Samahang Mandaragat ng Butong in Taal, Batangas, where he discussed his plans to support the fisherfolk sector if he wins a Senate seat.