Kiko Pangilinan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kiko Pangilinan
Official portrait, 2019
Senator of the Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2025
In office June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022
In office June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2013
Senate positions Chair of the Senate Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes Committee In office 2018 – June 30, 2022 Preceded by Franklin Drilon Succeeded by Robin Padilla Senate Majority Leader In office January 12, 2004 – November 17, 2008 Preceded by Loren Legarda Succeeded by Migz Zubiri Chair of the Senate Agriculture and Food Committee In office July 25, 2016 – February 27, 2017 Preceded by Cynthia Villar Succeeded by Cynthia Villar In office July 26, 2010 – June 30, 2013 Preceded by Loren Legarda Succeeded by Cynthia Villar Chair of the Senate Agrarian Reform Committee In office February 2, 2009 – June 30, 2010 Preceded by Gregorio Honasan Succeeded by Gregorio Honasan
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 the Quezon City Council from the 4th district
In office June 30, 1988 – June 30, 1992
Party positions Chairperson of the Liberal Party Incumbent Assumed office June 30, 2022 Preceded by Leni Robredo 16th President of the Liberal Party In office August 8, 2016 – September 30, 2022 Preceded by Jun Abaya Succeeded by Edcel Lagman
Personal details
Born	Francis Pancratius Nepomuceno Pangilinan (1963-08-24) August 24, 1963 (age 62) 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	Ayala Westgrove Heights
Alma mater	University of the Philippines Diliman (BA, LL.B) Harvard University (MPA)
Occupation	Politician entrepreneur
Profession	Lawyer
Signature

Francis Pancratius Nepomuceno Pangilinan (born August 24, 1963), better known as Kiko Pangilinan, is a Filipino lawyer and politician. He is a senator of the Philippines, a role he has held for several terms. As a senator, he helps create laws for the country.

Pangilinan is famous for his work in supporting agriculture and making sure there is enough food for everyone, a concept called food security. He has written important laws to help farmers, such as the Organic Agriculture Act and the Sagip Saka Act. Before becoming a national leader, he was a television host and a city councilor.

He studied law at the University of the Philippines and later earned a master's degree from Harvard University in the United States. In 2022, he ran for vice president but was not elected. He won a seat in the Senate again in the 2025 elections.

Pangilinan is married to the famous actress and singer Sharon Cuneta. Together, they run an organic farm.

Early Life and Schooling

Kiko Pangilinan was born on August 24, 1963, in Manila. His father, Donato, was an engineer and businessman, and his mother, Emma, was a public school teacher. He is one of nine children.

He went to La Salle Green Hills for elementary and high school. During school breaks, his father made sure he and his siblings worked at their family's furniture factory. This taught him the value of hard work from a young age.

For college, he attended the University of the Philippines Diliman. He earned a degree in English and was also a varsity volleyball player for the UP Men's Volleyball Team.

While studying law at UP, he became a student leader. He was elected chairman of the UP University Student Council in 1986. He was also active in student groups that called for positive changes in the government. In 1997, he went to the United States to study at Harvard Kennedy School, where he earned a Master's degree in Public Administration.

Start of His Political Career

In 1988, at just 24 years old, Pangilinan was elected to the Quezon City Council. He was the youngest person ever elected to that position. He served one term, from 1988 to 1992. During this time, he helped create the National Movement of Young Legislators, a group for young lawmakers in the country.

After his term as councilor, he worked as a television and radio host for ABS-CBN. He was known for co-hosting the show Hoy Gising!, where he used his legal knowledge to help ordinary people with their problems.

First Terms in the Senate (2001–2013)

Pangilinan speaking in the Senate in 2012.

In 2001, Pangilinan was elected to the Senate. He was re-elected in 2007. During his first 12 years as a senator, he became known for several important laws.

From 2004 to 2008, he served as the Senate Majority Leader. This is a very important job where he helped manage the schedule and discussions in the Senate.

Major Laws He Created

One of his most well-known laws is the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. This law created a special system for children who get into trouble with the law. Instead of sending them to adult prisons, it focuses on helping them change for the better. This law is often called the "Pangilinan Law."

He also wrote the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010. This law was designed to support farmers who grow food without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which is known as organic farming.

Working in the Cabinet

After his Senate terms ended in 2013, Pangilinan took a break from being a lawmaker. In 2014, President Benigno Aquino III asked him to join his team. He was appointed as the Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization.

In this role, he was in charge of important government agencies that deal with food and farming. These included the National Food Authority (NFA), which manages the country's rice supply, and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), which builds and maintains water systems for farms. He resigned in 2015 to run for the Senate again.

Return to the Senate (2016–2022)

Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Manny Pacquiao in 2016.

Pangilinan won a third term in the Senate in the 2016 elections. During this time, he became the president of the Liberal Party and was a key figure in the opposition.

He continued his work to help farmers by writing the Sagip Saka Act in 2019. Sagip Saka means "Save the Farm." This law makes it easier for the government to buy food directly from farmers and fishermen. This helps them earn more money by removing the need for middlemen.

Pangilinan also helped create other important laws, including:

• Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act: This law made tuition free in state universities and colleges.
• Free Internet Access in Public Places Act: This law set up free Wi-Fi hotspots in public areas like parks, schools, and libraries.
• Expanded Maternity Leave Act: This law gave working mothers more paid time off after giving birth.

2022 Vice Presidential Campaign

Pangilinan campaigning for vice president in Antipolo in 2022.

In 2021, Pangilinan announced he would run for vice president in the 2022 election. He was the running mate of presidential candidate Leni Robredo.

His campaign focused on his main advocacy: agriculture and food. His slogan was "Goodbye Gutom, Hello Pagkain" (Goodbye Hunger, Hello Food). He promised to help farmers and fishermen to make food more affordable for everyone. He finished in second place, losing to Sara Duterte.

Fourth Senate Term (from 2025)

Pangilinan ran for senator again in the 2025 elections and won. He ran alongside former senator Bam Aquino, and their team-up was called "KiBam."

His campaign once again focused on food security. He promised to work on lowering the price of rice and to make sure the Sagip Saka Act he wrote is fully used to help farmers. He officially began his fourth term on June 30, 2025.

Life Outside of Politics

Media Work

Before he became a senator, Pangilinan was a familiar face on television. From 1993 to 1997, he co-hosted the public service show Hoy Gising!. On the show, he helped people by giving legal advice and connecting them with government agencies. It was on this show that he met his future wife, Sharon Cuneta.

In 2024, he returned to hosting with a show called Hello Pagkain! which focused on farming and food issues.

Farming and Business

Pangilinan planting rice in 2013.

Pangilinan has always been interested in business. When he was a student, he started a small business selling fishballs from a cart.

In 2012, he and his wife started Sweet Spring Country Farm in Alfonso, Cavite. It is a family farm where they grow organic vegetables and raise free-range chickens. They use natural farming methods without any chemicals. The farm sells its fresh produce to markets and restaurants. Pangilinan often shares that farming is his passion and a way to promote healthy living.

Personal Life

Kiko Pangilinan married singer and actress Sharon Cuneta on April 28, 1996. They have two daughters, including the singer-songwriter Kakie, and one adopted son. Pangilinan also legally adopted Cuneta's daughter from a previous marriage, actress KC Concepcion.

The family lives in Silang, Cavite, near their farm. Pangilinan is also related to other famous people. He is the uncle of actor Donny Pangilinan and a cousin of Chito Miranda, the lead singer of the band Parokya ni Edgar.

Electoral history

2001 Senate election

2007 Senate election

2016 Senate election

2022 vice presidential election

2025 Senate election

See also

• List of Harvard University politicians