Senatorial aspirant Kiko Pangilinan, former presidential assistant for food security, promised to reduce rice inflation if he returns to the Senate.

Speaking at a press conference in Dumaguete City on March 22, Pangilinan highlighted his success in lowering rice inflation to under 1% during his tenure under the Aquino administration.

"If we did it before, we can do it again," Pangilinan said, citing his efforts in managing rice supply, which also helped reduce overall inflation.

He explained that since rice is a key food staple for over 117 million Filipinos, its price directly affects the cost of other food items.

Pangilinan credited his administration's crackdown on rice hoarders, overcharging middlemen, and blacklisted traders for achieving the lowest inflation in the Philippines in 20 years.

Pangilinan also emphasized rejecting overpriced imported rice from Thailand and Vietnam, saving the government P7 billion in rice purchases. "We were able to save because there was no corruption," he added.