Former senator and senatorial candidate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan received key endorsements from local officials in Antipolo City and San Pablo City, Laguna, further strengthening his 2025 Senate bid with just five weeks left in the campaign.

In Antipolo City, Pangilinan was endorsed by Mayor Jun Ynares and district councilors during the city’s monthly flag-raising ceremony held at the Antipolo City Hall. He later paid a visit to the city’s Pasalubong Center and received a blessing from Rev. Fr. Yohann, OMV at the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.

From Antipolo, Pangilinan headed to San Pablo City in Laguna, where he secured the backing of Mayor Vic Amante and vice gubernatorial candidate Gem Amante. The former senator was also endorsed by Ako Bisaya third nominee Tin Amante Picazo.

In her endorsement remarks, Gem Amante emphasized the importance of electing leaders who are approachable and genuinely care for the people. “Rest assured, just like me and the senator, it becomes easier to implement programs when we work together and elect leaders who are truly compassionate and accessible,” she said.

Pangilinan also held a dialogue with barangay captains in San Pablo City, where he presented his proposed free breakfast program for public school students from daycare to Grade 12. He emphasized the role of nutrition in boosting learning outcomes and reducing dropout rates, noting that hunger has become a barrier to education for many school-age children.

The proposed program, he said, will source half of its food supply from local farmers and fisherfolk, linking it with the Sagip Saka Act, which he authored. The law allows national and local governments to buy produce directly from farmers without public bidding, helping both the education and agriculture sectors.

To close his San Pablo campaign, Pangilinan visited the Global Food Solutions Inc., a food processing company that has long been a partner in supporting farmers and sourcing directly from agricultural producers under the principles of the Sagip Saka Act.