Francis Pangilinan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francis Pangilinan
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Official portrait, 2019
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| Senate Majority Leader | |
| In office January 12, 2004 – November 17, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Loren Legarda |
| Succeeded by | Migz Zubiri |
| Senator of the Philippines | |
| In office June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022 |
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| In office June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2013 |
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| Chair of the Senate Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes Committee | |
| In office 2018 – June 30, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Franklin Drilon |
| Succeeded by | Robin Padilla |
| Chair of the Senate Agriculture and Food Committee | |
| In office July 25, 2016 – February 27, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Cynthia Villar |
| Succeeded by | Cynthia Villar |
| In office July 26, 2010 – June 30, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Loren Legarda |
| Succeeded by | Cynthia Villar |
| Chair of the Senate Agrarian Reform Committee | |
| In office February 2, 2009 – June 30, 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Gregorio Honasan |
| Succeeded by | Gregorio Honasan |
| Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization | |
| In office May 6, 2014 – September 15, 2015 |
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| President | Benigno Aquino III |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Fredelita Guiza |
| Member of the Quezon City Council from the 4th district | |
| In office June 30, 1988 – June 30, 1992 |
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| Chairperson of the Liberal Party | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Leni Robredo |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Francis Pancratius Nepomuceno Pangilinan
August 24, 1963 Manila, Philippines |
| Political party | Liberal (2001–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
LDP (1988–1992) Independent (1992–2001) |
| Spouse |
Sharon Cuneta
(m. 1996) |
| Relations | KC Concepcion (step-daughter) 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) |
| Children | 3, incl. Kakie |
| Residence | Quezon City |
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines Diliman (BA, LL.B) Harvard University (MPA) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Francis Pancratius "Kiko" Nepomuceno Pangilinan (born August 24, 1963) is a Filipino lawyer and politician. He also owns a farm. He served as a Senator for two periods: from 2001 to 2013 and again from 2016 to 2022. From 2004 to 2008, he was the Senate Majority Leader.
Kiko Pangilinan studied at the University of the Philippines College of Law and Harvard Kennedy School. Before becoming a senator, he was elected to the Quezon City Council from 1988 to 1992. Between his times in the Senate, he worked as the Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization for President Benigno Aquino III from 2014 to 2015.
In the 2022 Philippine presidential election, Pangilinan ran for vice president. He was the running mate of Vice President Leni Robredo under the Liberal Party. He did not win the election, losing to Sara Duterte.
After his second term as Senator, Pangilinan started hosting two shows. He hosts Hello Pagkain! on One PH and Rekta: Agenda ng Masa on DZRH and DZRH News Television.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Francis Pancratius Nepomuceno Pangilinan was born on August 24, 1963. His father, Donato Tongol Pangilinan Jr., was an engineer and businessman from Pampanga. His mother, Emma Monasterial Nepomuceno, was a public school teacher from Nueva Ecija and Marinduque. Kiko has eight siblings.
Pangilinan finished his elementary and high school education at La Salle Green Hills. He graduated in 1977 and 1981. During school breaks, his father gave him and his siblings jobs in their family businesses. For example, he was a timekeeper at their furniture factory as a child.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a focus on Comparative Literature, from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. While at UP, he was also a varsity athlete for the UP Men's Volleyball Team.
During his college years, Pangilinan was elected chairperson of the UP Diliman University Student Council in 1986. He also served as a student representative on the UP Board of Regents in 1987. He was a member of the Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity. Later, he earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the UP College of Law. While studying, Pangilinan started a fishball stand. He later expanded it to three locations and 40 carts, calling his business "Eat-a-bols." He even partnered with Nestlé to sell Nestea alongside his fishballs.
In 1997, Pangilinan went to Boston, Massachusetts, to study at Harvard Kennedy School. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree there.
Political Career
Serving Quezon City
In 1988, Kiko Pangilinan became the youngest councilor of Quezon City. He represented the 4th district. During his time as councilor, he helped start the National Movement of Young Legislators. In 1992, he ran for Congress in Quezon City but did not win.
Time in the Senate
Pangilinan was first elected as a senator in 2001. He was re-elected six years later. In 2002, he and National Youth Commission (NYC) chairman Bam Aquino created the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards. This award celebrates young people and their organizations who do great things for public service and nation-building.
He became the Senate Majority Leader in 2004. In 2008, Pangilinan helped create the Judicial Executive Legislative Advisory and Consultative Council. This group helps different parts of the government work together.
In 2010, he led the Senate Committee on Agriculture. During this time, he wrote the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010. This law helps promote organic farming and supports farmers who use these methods.
Working with President Aquino
In May 2014, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Pangilinan as the Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization. This was a high-level position in the President's team. As head of this office, he worked to create a special fund for coconut farmers. This fund aimed to help farmers who had been affected by past issues with coconut taxes. In September 2015, Pangilinan announced he would leave this role to run for senator again in 2016.
Return to the Senate
Pangilinan won a third term in the 2016 Philippine Senate election, finishing 8th overall.
In October 2016, he was chosen as the interim president of the Liberal Party. His appointment became permanent in August 2017. In May 2019, Pangilinan offered to resign as Liberal Party president. This was after the "Otso Diretso" senatorial slate, which he managed, did not win any seats in the 2019 Philippine general election. However, Liberal Party chairperson Leni Robredo did not accept his resignation.
After the 2019 election, Pangilinan joined the minority group in the Senate. He worked with Senators Franklin Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, Leila de Lima, Bam Aquino, and Antonio Trillanes. He was a main author of the Sagip Saka Act, signed in April 2019. This law helps farmers and fisherfolk earn more by allowing government agencies to buy their products directly. This removes middlemen and can help lower food prices. Pangilinan also authored Republic Act 11478. This law increased the number of beds at the Bicol Medical Center from 500 to 1,000. It also improved its services and increased its medical staff. As a member of the minority, Pangilinan often spoke out about the government's policies.
In 2020, Pangilinan authored the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act. This law creates a trust fund for coconut farmers. The fund will be used to help manage and develop the coconut industry. He also helped write laws about education. These include the GMRC and Values Education Act, which adds values education to the K-12 curriculum. Another is the Alternative Learning System Act, which helps out-of-school children get an education.
Pangilinan also helped write the COVID Vaccination Program Act of 2021. This law aimed to speed up getting and giving out COVID-19 vaccines across the country.
2022 Vice Presidential Campaign
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On October 8, 2021, Pangilinan officially filed his papers to run for vice president. He ran alongside presidential candidate Leni Robredo in the 2022 Philippine presidential election. While Robredo ran as an independent, Pangilinan ran as the candidate for the Liberal Party. He had initially planned to run for re-election as senator.
One of his opponents for vice president was his uncle-by-marriage, Senate President Tito Sotto. Sotto is married to Pangilinan's aunt-in-law, Helen Gamboa. Pangilinan said this situation was "painful" for his family.
Pangilinan's campaign slogan was "Goodbye Gutom, Hello Pagkain" (meaning "Goodbye Hunger, Hello Food"). His campaign focused on helping the agricultural sector and making sure there was enough food for everyone. He wanted to give farmers and fishermen more support.
Pangilinan came in second place in the election. He received 9,329,207 votes. He lost to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
Future Plans
Pangilinan plans to run for senator again in the 2025 Philippine Senate election. He will run under the Liberal Party.
Personal Life
On April 28, 1996, Kiko Pangilinan married singer, actress, and TV personality Sharon Cuneta. They have two daughters, including singer-songwriter Kakie, and an adopted son. He is also the stepfather of actress and singer KC Concepcion, who is Cuneta's daughter from a previous marriage. Pangilinan legally adopted KC.
Pangilinan and Cuneta own Sweet Spring Country Farm. It is an all-organic farm located in Alfonso, Cavite.
Pangilinan is a first cousin of Alfonso Miranda, who is the father of Parokya ni Edgar band member Chito Miranda.
