Kiko decries well-funded disinfo campaign

Former Senator and current senatorial candidate Kiko Pangilinan has condemned what he described as an “orchestrated” and “well-funded” disinformation campaign against him, triggered by a recent food blog featuring him eating rice and carabao milk off a pot cover.

In a Facebook Live broadcast on Saturday, 12 April, Pangilinan appealed to those behind the attacks to engage in fair campaigning.

“It’s noticeable and very clear that recently, and more viciously, we’ve been subjected to trolling, bashing, and a clearly organized, orchestrated effort that is not coming from organic online audiences,” Pangilinan said. “Based on what we’re seeing, this is a well-funded machinery intended to undermine our campaign.”

The former senator urged other candidates not to resort to smear tactics but instead focus on presenting their track records to the public.

“To those behind this, especially the candidates, I appeal to you: Spend your resources on introducing yourselves and showcasing your accomplishments — your ‘resibo’ [proof],” he said.

Calling the campaign against him “desperate,” Pangilinan lamented that some candidates appear willing to spend millions just to discredit others.

“Are those the kind of leaders we should elect?” he asked.

The controversy stemmed from a food blog collaboration with content creator Romeo Catacutan, where Pangilinan participated in a boodle fight in Pampanga. In the video, Catacutan jokingly asked someone to hand Pangilinan a pot cover so he could eat the rice and carabao milk more comfortably.

Pangilinan shared that the meal was a personal “core memory,” as his father hailed from Pampanga. He expressed dismay over how the simple, culturally rooted moment became a target for ridicule.