Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has declined the offer to chair the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, citing his commitment to addressing urgent issues in the agriculture sector, including the persistent problem of food smuggling.

In a radio interview on Thursday, Pangilinan said he turned down the powerful chairmanship to concentrate on his role as chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform.

He emphasized that agriculture remains one of the most pressing concerns in the country, particularly amid rising food prices and the ongoing threat of smuggling.

“Matindi rin kasi ang problema ng agrikultura sa ngayon—sektor ng magsasaka at mangingisda. Mabigat din ang problema (sa) kakulangan ng pagkain at kakulangan ng suporta sa ating agri at fisheries sectors,” Pangilinan said when asked why he declined the post.
(There’s also a huge problem in agriculture right now—especially in the farming and fishing sectors. There are serious issues with food security and lack of support for our agriculture and fisheries sectors.)

Pangilinan said his decision was aimed at sustaining the reforms and programs he has already pushed for over the years, especially in support of farmers and fisherfolk.

He added that corruption and inefficiency continue to plague the agriculture sector, often to the detriment of small producers and consumers.

The senator pointed to data presented in a recent Senate hearing, showing that over half of agricultural smuggling cases from 2021 to 2025 were dismissed due to incomplete documentation submitted by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

He criticized the lack of accountability in the implementation of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law, which was passed over a decade ago but has yet to lead to the conviction of a single major offender.

“Sampung taon na itong Anti-Economic Sabotage Law ng agriculture products na non-bailable. Pero hanggang ngayon, sa awa ng Diyos, wala pang nakukulong na smuggler,” Pangilinan said.
(It’s been 10 years since the Anti-Economic Sabotage Law for agricultural products was made non-bailable. But until now, by God’s grace, not one smuggler has been imprisoned.)

He also questioned the involvement of certain individuals in smuggling operations, mentioning names such as Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Usec. Bernardo, Brice Hernandez, Engineer Alcantara, and the Discaya group.

The senator vowed to continue probing these cases to bring accountability to what he described as a system that punishes only small-time offenders.

“Yan ang mga hinahanap natin dahil itong maliliit na lamang ulit ang lumalabas at napatunayan na may ebidensiya habang yung mga big fish ay wala pa, pero hahabulin natin sila,” he added.
(We are looking for those involved because it’s always the small ones who get exposed and proven by evidence, while the big fish remain untouched—but we will go after them.)

Pangilinan was among those considered to lead the Blue Ribbon Committee following the resignation of Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. Senator Erwin Tulfo is currently serving as acting chairman.

The Blue Ribbon Committee is one of the most influential committees in the Senate, tasked with investigating government anomalies and corruption.

Despite this, Pangilinan said his priority remains agricultural reform and food security—a battle he has been fighting for the past 15 years.