Kiko Pangilinan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Official portrait, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senator of the Philippines | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office June 30, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Senate Majority Leader | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office January 12, 2004 – November 17, 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Loren Legarda | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Migz Zubiri | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office May 6, 2014 – September 15, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| President | Benigno Aquino III | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Position established | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Fredelita Guiza | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Member of theQuezon City Council from the4th district | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office June 30, 1988 – June 30, 1992 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Francis Pancratius Nepomuceno Pangilinan (1963-08-24)August 24, 1963 (age 62) Manila, Philippines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Party | Liberal (2001–present) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other political affiliations | Independent (1992–2001) LDP (1988–1992) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 3, includingKakie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relatives | KC Concepcion (step-daughter) Anthony Pangilinan (brother) Pablo Cuneta (father-in-law) Helen Gamboa (aunt-in-law) Maricel Laxa (sister-in-law) Gary Valenciano (brother-in-law) Donny Pangilinan (nephew) Gab Valenciano (nephew) Kiana Valenciano (niece) Chito Miranda (nephew) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines Diliman (BA,LL.B) Harvard University (MPA) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation |
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| Profession | Lawyer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Signature |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | Official website | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Francis Pancratius "Kiko"Nepomuceno Pangilinan ([paŋɪˈlinan]; born August 24, 1963) is a Filipino lawyer, and politician who has served as asenator of the Philippines since 2025. He previously served as a senator from 2001 to 2013 and from 2016 to 2022 and was theSenate majority floor leader from 2004 to 2008.
A graduate of theUniversity of the Philippines College of Law and theHarvard Kennedy School, Pangilinan began his political career as the youngest elected member of theQuezon City Council, serving from 1988 to 1992, and later founded theNational Movement of Young Legislators. He then worked as a television and radio host forABS-CBN, notably co-hosting the public service programHoy Gising! (1993–1997) as a legal expert.
During his first two Senate terms, Pangilinan authored landmark legislation such as ajuvenile justice law that has since been called the "Pangilinan Law" and anorganic farming protection law. After serving asPresidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization under PresidentBenigno Aquino III from 2014 to 2015, he returned to the Senate for a third term in 2016. Throughout his career, Pangilinan has strongly advocated foragriculture andfood security, authoring the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 and theSagip Saka Act (transl. Save the Farm Act) of 2019, both aimed at supportingsmall-scale farmers and modernizing agricultural productivity.
Pangilinan served as president of theLiberal Party during his third Senate term from 2016 to 2022, emerging as a prominentopposition figure during theadministration of PresidentRodrigo Duterte. He consistently criticized policies he viewed as undermining democratic institutions, including thewar on drugs, attempts to reinstate thedeath penalty, and proposals forconstitutional amendments that could extend term limits.
In the2022 national elections, Pangilinan ran forvice president as therunning mate of Vice PresidentLeni Robredo. He was defeated bySara Duterte, the daughter of Rodrigo Duterte. He returned to media briefly in 2024, hosting public affairs programs focusing on agriculture andgrassroots issues. Pangilinan was re-elected to the Senate in the2025 elections, emphasizing food security and farmers' welfare inhis campaign.
He is married to actress and singerSharon Cuneta, with whom he runs an organic family farm inCavite.
Francis Pancratius Nepomuceno Pangilinan was born on August 24, 1963, to Donato Tongol Pangilinan Jr., an engineer and entrepreneur fromPampanga, and Emma Monasterial Nepomuceno, a public school teacher fromNueva Ecija andMarinduque.[1] He has eight siblings.[2]
Pangilinan completed his primary and secondary education atLa Salle Green Hills in 1977 and 1981, respectively. During school breaks, his father regularly assigned him and his siblings tasks in their family businesses. At their Manila Pearl furniture factory, Pangilinan worked as a timekeeper as a child and became a project coordinator by age 19.[3] He later earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, majoring inComparative Literature, from theUniversity of the Philippines Diliman, where he was also a varsity athlete on theUP Men's Volleyball Team.[4]
As a freshman law student at theUniversity of the Philippines College of Law, Pangilinan was elected chairperson of theUP Diliman University Student Council in 1986 and served as student regent on the UP Board of Regents in 1987.[5] He was a member ofUpsilon Sigma Phi.[6][7] He subsequently earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the UP College of Law.[5]
Throughout his time at UP Diliman, Pangilinan wasactive in the Sandigan para sa Mag-Aaral at Sambayanan (SAMASA;transl. Support for Students and the People), a student political party prominent in theanti‐Marcos movement of that era.[8] He attended and spoke at the funeral of assassinated labor leaderRolando Olalia in November 1986, issuing the statement: "Ka Lando, sa atin ang kinabukasan" (lit. 'Ka Lando, the future is ours').[9]
In 1997, Pangilinan moved toMassachusetts, United States, to pursue aMaster of Public Administration atHarvard Kennedy School, where he graduated with a general average ofA–.[10]
In 1988, while a law student, Pangilinan ran successfully for theQuezon City Council, representing the4th district. At age 24, he became the youngest person ever elected to that council.[11] He served a single term (1988–1992), during which he was chosen to serve as Minority Leader of the council in 1991–1992.[5] Among theordinances that Pangilinan filed was Ordinance NC-36, S-88 in 1988, which created contractual staff positions forcouncil offices.[12] In 1991–1992, he also helped found and became the first national president of theNational Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL), a federation of local youth legislators.[13] Pangilinan was awarded the "Most Outstanding Councilor" award by the Quezon City Press Association in both 1989 and 1990.[5]
Pangilinan ran forrepresentative ofQuezon City's 4th congressional district in the1992 elections, but lost toFeliciano Belmonte Jr. (who later became the 18thspeaker of the House of Representatives).[5][14]
Pangilinan was elected to theSenate in2001, placing eighth (out of 12 winning candidates) with 10,971,896 votes, and wasre-elected in 2007, placing fifth with 14,534,678 votes. In the 2001 election, he ran under thePeople Power Coalition of PresidentGloria Macapagal Arroyo.
In 2002, he and then-National Youth Commission chairBam Aquino co-founded theTen Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards, an annual national program recognizing outstanding youth groups across the country.[15]
He was first electedSenate Majority Leader in 2004 during the13th Congress and was re-elected to the position on July 23, 2007, following the election ofManny Villar asSenate President andJinggoy Estrada asSenate President Pro Tempore at the opening of the14th Congress.[16]
Pangilinan was the principal author of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (Republic Act No. 9344), which established a separate justice system for minors. The law set the minimumage of criminal responsibility at 15 years and created the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council under theDepartment of Justice (DOJ) to rehabilitate youth offenders instead ofimprisoning them. This reform has often been nicknamed the "Pangilinan Law".[17] In later years, some officials (including PresidentRodrigo Duterte) criticized the law and blamed it for perceived rises injuvenile delinquency. Pangilinan defended the measure, arguing that its poor implementation (such as the lack of funding foryouth rehabilitation centers) was the issue, and urging authorities to target adultcriminal syndicates whoexploit children rather than jailing the minors themselves.[18]
In 2008, Pangilinan created theJudicial Executive Legislative Advisory and Consultative Council (JELACC), a body first proposed during theManila Hotel summit onextrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances held on July 16–17, 2007.[19]
On November 17, 2008, Pangilinan resigned as Senate Majority Leader amid a leadership reorganization in the chamber.[20] This change was precipitated by Villar's resignation as Senate President in the face of an imminentno-confidence vote. SenatorsJuan Ponce Enrile andMigz Zubiri were subsequently elected Senate President and Senate Majority Leader, respectively.[21]
In 2010, he chaired theSenate Committee on Agriculture, during which he authored the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010. The law aimed to promote the development oforganic agricultural practices and protectindigenous organicfarmers in the Philippines.[22]
Pangilinan voted against Senate Bill No. 2796, which later became theCybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA No. 10175). He was one of only two senators—alongsideTG Guingona—who opposed the measure.[23]
He voted in favor of Senate Bill No. 2865, which later became theResponsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (RA No. 10354; "Reproductive Health Law"). He stated thatsexual and reproductive health was a necessary step to promotematernal health and responsible parenthood.[24]
In May 2014, PresidentBenigno Aquino III appointed Pangilinan asPresidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization (PAFSAM), a newly-createdcabinet-level position under theOffice of the President.[25] As PAFSAM, Pangilinan was tasked to improve farm sector agencies. He took charge of theNational Food Authority (NFA), theNational Irrigation Administration (NIA), thePhilippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and theFertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) to address rice supply, irrigation, and coconut farmer issues.[26]
During his tenure, Pangilinan advocated for the establishment of a coco levytrust fund to benefit coconut farmers, seeking to address the long-standing issues stemming from theCoco Levy Fund scam. The scam involved the collection of levies from coconut farmers during theadministration of PresidentFerdinand Marcos, allegedly for industry development, but the funds were misused by Marcos andhis cronies.[27]
In September 2015, Pangilinan resigned from the position to run for senator in the2016 elections.[28][29]
Pangilinan won a third term in the Senate in the2016 elections, placing eighth overall with 15,955,949 votes. He ran under theKoalisyon ng Daang Matuwid ofpresidential candidateMar Roxas.[30]
In October 2016, he was appointed interim president of theLiberal Party, succeeding formerTransportation and Communications SecretaryJoseph Emilio Abaya.[31] His appointment was made permanent in August 2017.[32]
Originally part of the Senate majority of the17th Congress, Pangilinan joined the minority bloc on February 27, 2017, alongside SenatorsBam Aquino,Leila de Lima,Franklin Drilon,Risa Hontiveros, andAntonio Trillanes.[33]
Pangilinan was among the co-authors of theUniversal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (Republic Act No. 10931), which made tuition and other mandatory fees free for students instate universities, colleges, andtechnical-vocational institutions. This landmark law, championed primarily by SenatorBam Aquino, was co-sponsored by Pangilinan along with many of his colleagues across party lines.[34] After initial concerns about its budgetary impact were overcome, PresidentRodrigo Duterte signed RA No. 10931 into law in August 2017.[35] Pangilinan, along with other sponsors, emphasized that the law was in line with theconstitutional mandate to makeeducation accessible to all.[34]
Pangilinan co-authored the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act, signed into law by President Duterte as RA No. 10929 in August 2017. The law mandates the establishment of freeWi-Fi hotspots in parks, schools, libraries, transportation hubs, and other public spaces.[36] According to Pangilinan, the law aims to modernize infrastructure and bridge thedigital divide, especially for students and rural communities.[37]
He authored theSagip Saka Act (transl. Save the Farm Act; RA No. 11321) in 2019, a law aimed at improving farmers' incomes and modernizing agriculture.[38] TheSagip Saka Act institutionalizes direct purchase programs by government agencies and local government units from accreditedagricultural andfishery cooperatives, thus bypassingmiddlemen and the traditional bidding process.[39] The law also providestax incentives for donors offarm equipment and infrastructure.[40]
In February 2019, he abstained during the passage of the Rice Tariffication Law (RA No. 11203) due to concerns about its impact on farmers and later defended that decision.[a] He stated he "had reservations precisely in supporting the measure", subsequently filing amendments to ensuretariff revenues funded direct cash assistance torice farmers.[43] Pangilinan welcomed proposals from theDepartment of Agriculture to increase rice import tariffs and urged that tariff collections must reach and directly benefit farmers, warning that the law had not delivered intended support.[44]
As part of his social legislation advocacy in the Senate, Pangilinan co-authored the Student Fare Discount Act of 2019 (RA No. 11314). This law institutionalized a 20% farediscount for students on all forms ofpublic transportation throughout the year.[45] The measure guaranteed the existing student fare privilege by law and extended it to include weekends and semester breaks. Pangilinan, along with the bill's principal sponsors, SenatorsSonny Angara andBam Aquino, pushed for the passage of this relief for students amid rising transportation costs.[46]
Pangilinan also co-authored the Expanded Maternity Leave Act, which became law in 2019 (RA No. 11210). This law significantly increased thepaid maternity leave for working women in the Philippines from the previous 60 days to 105 days for those with normal deliveries (and from 78 days to 105 days forcesarean deliveries).[45] It also provided options for an additional 30 days ofunpaid leave and allocated an additional 15 days of leave forsolo mothers. Pangilinan joined a bipartisan group of senators in advocating for this policy, aiming to improvematernal and child health and align thecountry's labor standards withinternational norms. He was listed as one of the authors of the Senate bill that led to the law's enactment.[47]
In May 2019, following the failure of theOtso Diretso slate—of which he wascampaign manager—to win any seats in the2019 senatorial election, Pangilinan announced his resignation as party president. However, his resignation was rejected by party chairperson and Vice PresidentLeni Robredo.[48]
In July 2019, following the start of the18th Congress, Pangilinan filed Senate Bill No. 264 to define and banpolitical dynasties in public office.[49] As chair of theSenate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes during the 17th Congress, he used his platform to push for this long-stalled reform. Pangilinan publicly challenged PresidentRodrigo Duterte in 2020 to certify the anti-dynasty bill as urgent, arguing that such a law is necessary to dismantle oligarchic political structures and ensure equal opportunity in governance. However, like previous attempts by other legislators, Pangilinan's anti-dynasty initiative made little progress in Congress and "hardly moved" in committee deliberations.[49]
Pangilinan played an active role in the legislation addressing the decades-oldcoconut levy issue. He was a key proponent of what eventually became the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act of 2021 (RA No. 11524). This law created atrust fund (initially capitalized at around ₱105 billion or US$2.18 billion) for the benefit of an estimated 3.5 million coconut farmers and their families, using assets accrued from the 1970s coconut levy.[50] Pangilinan had been working on the coco levy issue in the Senate for years—he sponsored a coco levytrust fund bill in the previous Congress that sought to implement a 2012Supreme Court decision returning the levy to farmers. During debates on the 2021 measure, Pangilinan consistently pushed for provisions to ensure thatsmallholder farmers would benefit. He argued that "farmer representation is the heart of the coco levy trust fund measure", insisting that coconut farmers themselves should have a strong voice in the fund's management committee.[51] He also advocated defining a "small coconut farmer" as one owning not more than five hectares of land, to focus the law's benefits on poor and marginal farmers.[50] The initial version of the bill containing these pro-farmer provisions was vetoed by President Duterte in 2019 over concerns about management and safeguards.[52] Pangilinan worked with colleagues to revise the bill, and the refined measure was eventually enacted in February 2021.[53]
During theCOVID-19 pandemic-relatedcommunity quarantines, Pangilinan urged the government to shoulder the cost ofCOVID-19 testing kits for inbound travelers, particularlyoverseas Filipino workers.[54] In 2021, Pangilinan co-authored the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act (RA No. 11525), which aimed to expedite the procurement and distribution ofvaccines nationwide.[55]
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On October 8, 2021, Pangilinan filed his certificate of candidacy for vice president in the2022 Philippine presidential election, running as theLiberal Party's candidate alongside presidential aspirantLeni Robredo.[56] Unlike Pangilinan, Robredo ran as an independent, although she remained party chair. Pangilinan had initially intended to seekreelection as senator before being selected as Robredo's running mate.[57]
One of Pangilinan's opponents in the vice-presidential race was Senate PresidentTito Sotto, his uncle by marriage (the husband of his aunt-in-lawHelen Gamboa), whoran alongside SenatorPanfilo Lacson. Pangilinan later acknowledged that the situation was emotionally difficult for his family.[58]
His campaign slogan was "Goodbye Gutom, Hello Pagkain" (lit. transl. "Goodbye Hunger, Hello Food"), reflecting his platform centered on the agricultural sector, with a focus onfood security and support for farmers and fisherfolk.[59] He joined Robredo's call for an "exhaustive review" of the Rice Tariffication Law (RA No. 11203), arguing that while opening markets could be beneficial, farmers needed sufficient preparation and support to compete.[60]
Pangilinan placed second in the official vice-presidential tally, receiving 9,329,207 votes, losing toDavao City MayorSara Duterte by awide margin of over 22 million votes.[61][62]
In September 2024, theLiberal Party announced that Pangilinan would run for senator in the2025 election under their banner.[63] On October 8, 2024, he filed his certificate of candidacy.[64] He ran alongside former senatorBam Aquino, collectively known as the "KiBam" coalition, with whom he had previously collaborated to establish theTAYO Awards in 2002.[65]
He ran on a platform focused on food security,[66] vowing to lower the price ofrice and other goods.[64] Pangilinan also pledged to push for aprice floor for rice and to "fully implement" theSagip Saka Act of 2019 (RA No. 11321) that he authored.[67]
On May 12, 2025, Pangilinan won a fourth non-consecutive term in the Senate after placing fifth in the official results with 15,343,229 votes.[68] He was proclaimed as senator-elect by theCommission on Elections on May 17.[69] Aquino also won, having placed second.[68] According toThe Philippine Star, both Aquino and Pangilinan defied pre-election surveys consistently showing him outside the top 12 candidates.[70]
Pangilinan took his oath of office beforeSupreme Court Associate JusticeMarvic Leonen on June 18, ahead of his term beginning on June 30.[71]
In the20th Congress (2025–2028), Pangilinan joined theSenate majority bloc to pursue the chairpersonship of theSenate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform.[72]
On July 9, 2025, Pangilinan filed a series of Senate resolutions calling for a legislative review of key agriculture and fisheries policies to ensure they benefit small farmers and fisherfolk. The resolutions seek to evaluate the implementation of theSagip Saka Act, which he authored to improve market access for producers; assess the impact of the Rice Tariffication Law, including the possible restoration of theNational Food Authority's regulatory functions;[a] and examine the effects of commercial fishing in municipal waters on small-scale fishers. Citing feedback from rural communities during his 2022 vice-presidential campaign, Pangilinan emphasized the need to ensure that existing laws are effectively serving their intended beneficiaries.[73]
Pangilinan worked as a lecturer oncivil law,political law, andlabor law at theAteneo de Manila University from 1993 to 2000.[74]
While studying law in the 1990s, Pangilinan began working as a legal analyst and commentator forABS-CBN'sNews and Current Affairs division, where he served as Head of the Legal Desk from 1998 to 2001 and contributed legal expertise across various programs. From 1993 until his election as senator in 2001, he was an anchorperson on severalpublic service shows on both television and radio, includingBatas (1998–2001),Aksyon Ngayon (1994–1997), andRelos Report with Atty. Kiko (1999–2001), all onDZMM.[74]
From 1993 to 1997, Pangilinan co-anchored the public service and legal advice showHoy Gising! on ABS-CBN, where he addressed community grievances on air and helped mediate between citizens and public agencies. Pangilinan attributed the show to giving him early public exposure and the opportunity to engage ingrassroots concerns through media. It was also throughHoy Gising! where Pangilinan met his future wife, actressSharon Cuneta, who appeared as a guest in one episode to promote a film.[14]
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Pangilinan expanded his media involvement by hosting and co-anchoring various community-oriented programs, includingBarangay Dos (2000–2001), a public affairs show withKaren Davila that tackled local issues.[75] He also worked extensively as a legal analyst and commentator, contributing tolegal education and civic engagement via broadcast platforms like DZMM, where he explained laws and citizen rights in accessible terms.[14]
After entering politics, Pangilinan continued to engage in media-related efforts. In 2021, during theCOVID-19 lockdown, he and Cuneta appeared in a family-orientedYouTube vlog series highlighting their home and farm life.[76] In 2022, he was featured onToni Gonzaga's YouTube talk showToni Talks, where he discussed his career, personal journey, and reflections on public service.[14]
In 2024, Pangilinan returned to hosting with two short-term public affairs programs. He hostedHello Pagkain! onOne PH from March to October 2024, focusing onfood security and agricultural issues, and co-anchoredRekta: Agenda ng Masa onDZRH from May to October 2024, a current affairs show that tackled grassroots concerns.[74]
While studying atUP, Pangilinan started afishball stand alongCommonwealth Avenue inQuezon City. He later expanded it into a small business called "Eat-a-bols", with three locations, 40 steel carts, and a partnership withNestlé to serveNestea alongside fishballs.[3]
In 2012, Pangilinan and his wife,Sharon Cuneta, established Sweet Spring Country Farm inAlfonso, Cavite, a 1.7-hectare (0.017 km2)family farm that utilizessustainable farming practices. The farm followsorganic andall-natural methods. Pangilinan said that they named it after a natural spring on the property and that it started partly out of a personal need for healthier food for their children (two of whom have allergies and asthma).[77] By growing organic produce and raisingfree-range poultry, the Pangilinan family ensured a chemical-free diet, which is also consistent with Francis's policy interest in safe, sustainable agriculture. Over time, Sweet Spring Country Farm began selling its produce—such as lettuce, kale, herbs, and root crops—to organic markets and restaurants under its own brand.[77] It also produces artisanal farm products like vinegar made from localsap and brewed coffee from its small plantation. Pangilinan has noted that even naturalinsecticides are made on-site.[77]
He employs local community members and often invites farmer groups to the farm for training or dialogue. In media features, Pangilinan is shown personally tending to crops or driving a tractor. The Sweet Spring Country Farm has hosted agricultural workshops and is open for educational tours. In a 2023 profile, he welcomed elderly and youth farmers from the area to his farm, underscoring thatsmall farmers remain "the best hope" for "feeding the nation."[39] Pangilinan and Cuneta have invested in farm infrastructure likegreenhouses andrainwater harvesting.[78]
In May 2018, Pangilinan released his first book,Tagsibol, which chronicles his personal journey into farming and agricultural advocacy. The book reflects on his experience beginning with his chairmanship of theSenate Committee on Agriculture in 2010 and details how his commitment to farming deepened through the establishment of his family-owned Sweet Spring Country Farm in Cavite. Framed as a tribute to Filipino farmers, Pangilinan wrote about the importance of agriculture in national development and aims to inspire greater public respect and support for the farming sector. Pangilinan has described the book as a contribution to passing on the value of farming to future generations.[79][80]
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Political analysts and journalists have described Pangilinan as aliberal andprogressive legislator who occupies acenter-left position within Philippine politics,[81] notably through his leadership of the Liberal Party and his consistentopposition stance during PresidentRodrigo Duterte'sadministration (2016–2022).[82] He has advocated for strongpublic health measures and criticized theDuterte government's COVID-19 response,[83] supported increased regulation ofsocial media platforms to curbdisinformation,[84] and promotedagricultural modernization andfood security through laws such as theSagip Saka Act.[85] Pangilinan has consistently supported expandededucation funding,[86]environmental sustainability,[87]anti-corruption and transparency measures,[88]human rights protections—including opposition to thedeath penalty andextrajudicial killings—and has taken a firm stance on asserting Philippine sovereignty in theWest Philippine Sea.[89][90][91] He also favors improvedlabor rights,[92] includingending contractualization,[93] and supportscivil unions forsame-sex couples while maintaining a cautious stance ondivorce.[74][94]
On April 28, 1996, Pangilinan married singer, actress, and television personalitySharon Cuneta, whom he met on a taping of his showHoy Gising!.[14][95] The couple has two daughters, including singer-songwriterKakie, and an adopted son. Pangilinan is also the legal adoptive father of actress and singerKC Concepcion, Cuneta's daughter froma previous marriage, whom Pangilinan legally adopted.[96]
As of 2025, Pangilinan and Cuneta reside inAyala Westgrove Heights inSilang, Cavite.[1][97] They also own two condominium units inMakati.[98]
On March 11, 2024, Pangilinan filed a 10-page complaint-affidavit before theDepartment of Justice against theYouTube channel Bungangera TV and representatives of Google or YouTube Philippines forcyberlibel, after the channel accused him of domestic abuse.[99]
On May 10, 2024, Cuneta and Pangilinan jointly filed cyberlibel complaints against broadcasterCristy Fermin, citing defamatory remarks concerning their personal and family affairs.[100] In July 2025, the couple withdrew the complaints after Fermin issued a public apology.[101]
Pangilinan is a first cousin of Alfonso Miranda, the father ofParokya ni Edgar lead vocalistChito Miranda.[102]
| Year | Office | Party | Votes received | Result | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | % | P. | Swing | |||||
| 1988 | Councilor (Quezon City–4th) | LDP | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | Won | |
| 1992 | Representative (Quezon City-4th) | N/a | N/a | 2nd | N/a | Lost | ||
| 2001 | Senator of the Philippines | Liberal | 10,971,896 | 37.23% | 8th | N/a | Won | |
| 2007 | 14,534,678 | 49.27% | 5th | +12.04 | Won | |||
| 2016 | 15,955,949 | 35.47% | 8th | -13.8 | Won | |||
| 2025 | 15,343,229 | 26.75% | 5th | -8.72 | Won | |||
| 2022 | Vice President of the Philippines | 9,329,207 | 17.82% | 2nd | N/a | Lost | ||
Data related toKiko Pangilinan at Wikidata
Media related toFrancis Pangilinan at Wikimedia Commons| Senate of the Philippines | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Majority leader of the Senate of the Philippines 2004–2008 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of the Philippine Senate Agrarian Reform Committee 2009–2010 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of the Philippine Senate Agriculture and Food Committee 2010–2013 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of the Philippine Senate Agriculture and Food Committee 2016–2017 | |
| Political offices | ||
| New office | Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization 2014–2015 | Succeeded by Fredelita Guiza |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | President of theLiberal Party 2016–2022 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair Emeritus of theLiberal Party 2026–present | Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Chairperson of theLiberal Party 2022–2026 | Succeeded by |
| Liberal nominee forVice President of the Philippines 2022 | Most recent | |
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Senatorial history of Francis Pangilinan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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