By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo — May 13, 2025
IN THE chaotic arena of Philippine politics, where dynasties like the Marcoses and Dutertes loom like Goliaths, former Senator Kiko Pangilinan has staged a stunning political resurrection. His fifth-place finish in the 2025 Senate elections, with 12.3 million votes, is not just a personal triumph but a clarion call for a politics rooted in substance over spectacle. Defying pre-election surveys that rarely placed him in the top 12, Pangilinan’s victory—announced amid partial tallies on May 13, 2025—signals a voter hunger for leaders who prioritize the marginalized over the mighty.
Pangilinan’s campaign was a masterclass in speaking to the gut issues that gnaw at ordinary Filipinos. His food security crusade, a cornerstone of his platform, resonated deeply in a nation where rising food prices pinch families daily. As a senator during the Aquino administration, he helped stabilize rice prices, a lifeline for millions. His authorship of the Sagip Saka Act empowered farmers with direct market access, cutting out exploitative middlemen. And his push for free school breakfasts—tackling the hunger that stunts young minds—struck a chord with parents like Maria, a Cavite farmer I met, who told me, “Kiko understands we can’t learn or dream on empty stomachs.” His “farmers first” ethos stood in stark contrast to the personality-driven campaigns of rivals, offering a blueprint for policies that uplift the overlooked, a cause I’ve long championed in these pages.
Strategically, Pangilinan’s campaign was a tightrope walk of pragmatic independence. He and running mate Bam Aquino, who clinched second place with 16.8 million votes, distanced themselves from the Liberal Party’s “yellow” brand, vilified during Rodrigo Duterte’s era. This move, while alienating some of the “pink base” loyal to Leni Robredo, broadened their appeal to voters weary of polarized camps. Last-minute endorsements from groups like the Jesus is Lord Church and leaders in vote-rich provinces like Laguna and Cavite—where Pangilinan polled 497,062 and 526,557 votes, respectively—proved pivotal. Yet controversies swirled: rumors of ties to President Marcos Jr.’s coalition, which both camps denied, sparked debate about their opposition credentials. In a polarized landscape, Pangilinan navigated the mudslinging with rare integrity—though not without trade-offs that left some supporters yearning for a fiercer stand.
Symbolically, Pangilinan’s win is a rebuke to dynastic politics. His strong showing in “pink” strongholds like Camarines Sur (368,151 votes) and Iloilo (444,620 votes), bolstered by Robredo’s endorsement, revived the ideals of the 2022 pink wave—a movement for accountable, people-centered governance. His humble reaction, “We didn’t expect this,” reflects the grounded leadership that resonates with Filipinos tired of grandstanding. As he told reporters, his surprise mirrored that of supporters who packed Naga City’s streets for his final rally, their pink banners a defiant splash of hope against dynastic dominance.
Looking ahead, Pangilinan must hold fast to his farmer-first ethos. The Senate offers a platform to institutionalize agricultural reforms—more funding for cooperatives, irrigation, and school feeding programs—that could transform rural lives. He should also seize the chance for cross-party collaboration, bridging divides in a chamber where Marcos and Duterte allies hold sway. His past willingness to work with administrations, while controversial, could be a strength if channeled toward bipartisan solutions.
In an era of democratic erosion, Pangilinan’s comeback is a reminder that elections can still surprise—and that hope, like rice seedlings, grows even in rocky soil. For Filipinos like Maria, who dream of a future where their children thrive, Pangilinan’s victory is more than a seat won; it’s a promise that their voices matter. Let him prove them right.
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KWEBA ni BAROK 
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