With enough budget support, former Senator and senatorial candidate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan believes Mindanao can finally live up to its title as the country’s food basket.

“Mindanao is called the land of promise, but for too long, that promise has been broken,” Pangilinan said at a campaign rally for Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra. “It has not been given the support it needs — especially considering it should be feeding the rest of the country.”

To unlock the region’s full agricultural potential, Pangilinan proposed a P100-billion increase in the Department of Agriculture’s annual budget for the next six years, bringing the total to at least P800 billion by the end of a presidential term.

“That’s how we lower rice and food prices. Every year for six years, we must boost the agriculture and fisheries budget by P100 billion, reaching P700 to P800 billion by the end of the term,” he explained.

He said the funds must go directly to programs that uplift farmers and fisherfolk — including mechanization, input and fertilizer subsidies, post-harvest facilities, cold storage and better farm-to-market roads.

Pangilinan also thanked Marawi voters for their consistent support, pointing out he won in the city during his last three senatorial bids.

“Because you placed your trust in me, I made sure never to betray that. In all my years in public service, I have never been involved in any corruption or scandal,” he said.

He urged voters to scrutinize candidates based on track record, integrity and their stance — or silence — on major issues.

“Check their involvement in graft. See who has real accomplishments. And notice who stays silent when there are hearings on corruption,” he said.

Pangilinan was joined by his wife, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, who delighted the crowd by performing her classic hit “Kung Kailangan Mo Ako” to loud applause and cheers.

Sharon’s MILF visit: A life highlight

Despite a lifetime of fame and meeting people from all walks of life, Megastar Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan called her recent visit to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat “one of the highlights of my life.”

Cuneta joined her husband, former senator and senatorial hopeful Kiko Pangilinan, as he received a formal endorsement from the MILF’s political arm, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party.