Pangilinan: 'No color in hunger' as senator vows to work across political lines

Senator Kiko Pangilinan on Thursday broke his silence amid speculation that he and Senator Bam Aquino may shift to the Senate majority bloc, insisting that his political decisions remain grounded in principle, not partisanship.

Pangilinan, a longtime advocate of food security and anti-corruption, made the statement in response to both criticism and support surrounding his openness to work with different political camps. The senator said that aligning with a particular bloc does not matter to him as much as sticking to his core advocacies.

“I believe that our biggest fights are against hunger, corruption, and poverty. This is a fight I’ve faced since I was a student leader in the 80s. It is a fight I will never abandon,” Pangilinan said in a post on Thursday.

“I did publicly express a willingness to work with all parties along principled boundaries to bring down high food prices and hunger,” he added.

The senator’s remarks come amid reports that he and Aquino are in discussions to join the Senate majority under the leadership of Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero. The move, while unconfirmed, sparked debate among opposition supporters. Some critics have described the potential shift as “selling out,” but Pangilinan was firm in dismissing such notions.

“They are free to say what they wish,” he said. “I know who I am, I know what I stand for. My political track record is an open book.”

Pangilinan reiterated a statement he made back in 2022, during the filing of his candidacy: “Walang kulay ang gutom (Hunger has no color).” At the time, he stressed the need to set aside partisan politics to ensure government can deliver concrete solutions to Filipinos.

“In this regard, I believe what I ought to do, amidst all the chatter, the brickbats, is to focus on what I said I would do and simply walk the walk,” he said.

Pangilinan also confirmed that he has been in talks with fellow senators Risa Hontiveros and Bam Aquino ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 28 July. “Whatever the final decision will be in the Senate, we will still stand firm for fighting hunger, supporting farmers and fisherfolk, and lowering food prices,” he said.

For her part, Senator Hontiveros said she is unfazed by the possibility of Aquino and Pangilinan joining the Senate majority.

“I’m not hurt. As I said, what matters is that I will continue to stand firm,” Hontiveros told reporters. “What’s important is that I remain focused on the goals of the opposition, both inside and outside the Senate.”

Earlier this week, Senators Miguel Zubiri and Jinggoy Estrada said that Aquino and Pangilinan may take on committee chairmanships under Escudero’s leadership. Former Senate President Franklin Drilon said such a move would not contradict their core advocacies.

“They didn’t switch directions,” Drilon said. “Bam campaigned on education. Kiko campaigned on food security. That’s precisely what they are pursuing by getting into the majority bloc.”

Track record over talk

Pangilinan’s political history is marked by independence and a refusal to compromise on issues he considers fundamental.

In 2007, he ran for senator as a true independent, aligning with neither then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo nor opposition leader Joseph Estrada, both accused of corruption. In 2010, he gave up a vice presidential run to make way for the Aquino-Roxas tandem.

As food security czar in 2014, Pangilinan led reforms that resulted in the National Food Authority rejecting overpriced rice import bids, saving billions of pesos and bringing down rice prices.

In 2016, even as many of his partymates fled from the Liberal Party amid a Duterte landslide, Pangilinan stayed. He helped push landmark legislation like the Sagip Saka Act and supported investigations into abuses during the drug war.

In 2022, he gave up what many believed was a sure reelection bid to run for vice president alongside then-VP Leni Robredo.

In all these, he said, his compass has always been the same.