Joel Villanueva backs Kiko Pangilinan’s Senate comeback bid

Former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Joel Villanueva expressed support for the Senate comeback bid of Liberal Party candidate and former Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, according to a statement from the latter’s camp on Friday.

“I’ve seen how he works. He’s very hardworking,” Villanueva said in the statement.

“Villanueva said that the Senate needs Pangilinan’s expertise as a three-term Senator and lawyer to ensure that proposed measures will be thoroughly scrutinized before passing,” Pangilinan’s camp added.

Pangilinan and Villanueva collaborated in the 18th Congress on legislation like Senate Bill 1396, which would become RA 11524 or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act; and Senate Bill 2234, which would become Republic Act 11641 or the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Act.

Villanueva and Pangilinan also served in President Benigno Aquino III’s cabinet as Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization, respectively.

“Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa ating mga kasamahan sa Senado sa tiwala na kanilang ibinigay at sa suporta sa ating kampanya,” Pangilinan said in the statement.

(We thank our ally in the Senate for the trust he’s giving us and the support for our campaign.)

“We look forward to working with them again in the next Congress,” he added.

READ: Kiko Pangilinan’s Senate comeback bid gets Escudero’s support

Pangilinan’s Senate comeback bid was previously endorsed by Sen. Win Gatchalian and Senate President Chiz Escudero.

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros serves as Pangilinan’s campaign manager.