Pangilinan admits ‘lacking’ campaign resources for 2025 polls

Former Senate President Franklin Drilon endorses the Senate comeback bids of former senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino in a press conference before their Iloilo City sorties. (Photo from Team Kiko-Bam)

MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan admitted their campaign resources “lacked” when it came to messaging, claiming a disadvantage against other candidates in the 2025 senatorial race.

Pangilinan cited a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey that showed voters preferred candidates who advocated for food security and agricultural development.

The former senator is running on a platform of addressing the increasing prices of basic goods.

Despite this, a SWS survey published on Feb. 26 showed Pangilinan ranking 15th, outside the “Magic 12,” to enter the Senate.

“Our analysis there is that not many of our fellow citizens know about our causes because of bashing and fake news. Our resources are also lacking to bring our message,” Pangilinan said in Filipino during a press conference ahead of his Iloilo City rally on Thursday.

“We don’t have the billions to spend on TV, radio, and poster ads, while our opponents do have that. So, we just have to bring that message and I think we will gain more support as the campaign unfolds,” he added.

READ: Voters will go for champions of agri, food security – SWS

READ: Pangilinan eyes to address food security in Senate comeback bid

READ: SWS survey: Tulfo, 7 other administration bets in Senate top 12

Pangilinan is eyeing a Senate comeback in tandem with fellow former senator Bam Aquino, who ranked 17th on the latest SWS survey.

An ‘opening’

Pangilinan ran for vice president alongside Vice President Leni Robredo in 2022, with Aquino as their campaign manager, losing to the UniTeam alliance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.

READ: ‘Broken from start’, UniTeam sees complete collapse

When asked about their chances in the 2025 senatorial race, Pangilinan said the rift in the UniTeam alliance presented an opportunity for their camp.

“Unity had a problem. That gives us an opening of one-third,” he said.

“Before, the ridicule on social media was directed at us. I was called a demon for six years. I was trolled, bashed, et cetera for six years. But now, surprisingly, it seems it’s not as strong. So that’s also good for us moving forward in 2025,” he added.