Senator Kiko Pangilinan explains why he joined the Senate majority bloc

Summary

In this Senate session, Senator Francis Pangilinan explains his vote for Senate leadership, emphasizing his extensive experience in agriculture and food security, and highlighting past achievements in reducing inflation and managing national food resources. He stresses the importance of legislative-executive collaboration to address food crises while maintaining his independent stance. The session then suspends to allow the Senate President-elect, Escudero, to take his oath, pledging to faithfully discharge his duties, uphold the Constitution, obey laws, and maintain allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines. Following the solemn oath-taking, congratulations are offered, and the Senate prepares to elect the Senate President Pro Tempore.

Takeaways

• 😀 Senator Francis Pangilinan congratulates Senator Escudero on being elected Senate President.
• 😀 Senator Pangilinan explains his decision to align with the majority to secure the chairmanship of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
• 😀 He highlights his 15 years of experience in the agricultural and food sectors in both legislative and executive roles.
• 😀 Pangilinan recalls his leadership of the National Food Authority, National Irrigation Administration, Philippine Coconut Authority, and Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority.
• 😀 He cites past achievements, including reducing rice inflation from 15% to 8% and saving 7 billion pesos in government rice imports.
• 😀 The senator emphasizes that cooperation between legislative and executive branches is crucial to addressing food crises and child stunting.
• 😀 Pangilinan reassures that aligning with the majority does not compromise his independence as a senator.
• 😀 He references past senators as examples of maintaining independence while being part of the majority.
• 😀 The Senate session is temporarily suspended to allow the oath-taking of the new Senate President.
• 😀 Senator Escudero takes the oath of office as Senate President, pledging to faithfully discharge his duties and defend the Constitution of the Philippines.
• 😀 The next step for the Senate is the election of the Senate President Pro Tempore.

Q & A

Who is delivering the main speech in the transcript?

Senator Francis Pangilinan is delivering the main speech explaining his vote and his decision to align with the majority.

What recent elections does Senator Pangilinan refer to in his speech?

He refers to the 2025 elections, in which his team achieved a come-from-behind victory and landed in the top five.

What roles has Senator Pangilinan held in the agriculture and food sector?

He served as Chairperson of the Senate Agriculture Committee (2010–2013, 2016–2017) and as Food Security Secretary (2014–2015), leading agencies like the National Food Authority and the Philippine Coconut Authority.

What achievements does Senator Pangilinan highlight from his tenure as Food Security Secretary?

He mentions reducing rice inflation from 15% to 8%, addressing corruption in rice supply management, and saving 7 billion pesos in government rice imports.

Why does Senator Pangilinan decide to align with the majority?

He believes that only through cooperation between the executive and legislative branches can the nation effectively address food crises, high food prices, hunger, and child stunting.

Does aligning with the majority compromise Senator Pangilinan's independence?

No, he emphasizes that aligning with the majority does not undermine his ability to remain fiercely independent as a senator.

What examples does Senator Pangilinan give to support his stance on independence while being part of the majority?

He refers to previous senators, including Senators Joe Pimentel and Miriam Defensor Santiago, who remained independent and acted as a 'majority of one' on key issues.

Who administered the oath of office to the newly elected Senate President?

Senator Pia Cayetano administered the oath to Senator Escudero.

What key principles are included in the oath of office for the Senate President?

The oath includes faithfully discharging duties, supporting and defending the Constitution, obeying laws and legal orders, maintaining allegiance to the Philippines, and doing so voluntarily without reservation.

What procedural steps followed Senator Escudero’s election as Senate President?

The Majority Leader moved to suspend the session for the oath-taking, the oath was administered, and then the Senate proceeded to elect the Senate President Pro Tempore.

How does Senator Pangilinan describe the impact of landmark legislation?

He states that landmark legislation, led by experienced committee chairpersons, has long-lasting and meaningful effects on improving the lives of millions of Filipinos.