Pangilinan skips Comelec proclamation for daughter’s graduation in US

Former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. PHOTO from Kiko Pangilinan Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — Senator-elect Kiko Pangilinan will not be present at the proclamation for winning senators due to his schedule to attend his daughter’s graduation in the United States, according to a statement from his camp on Saturday.

However, in the statement, the senator-elect said, “With deep humility and immense gratitude, I accept the mandate given to me by the Filipino people.”

Pangilinan again said he was surprised by the election results after surveys ahead of Monday’s polls often showed him lagging behind.

The Liberal Party candidate ended up ranking fifth with 15,343,229 votes, according to the national certificate of canvass.

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“No political force will surpass the people that take a chance, act and stand for a singular goal. And we’ve proved that with our victory,” Pangilinan said in Filipino.

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“With the mercy of God and the strength of the people, the impossible became possible,” he added in Filipino.

The proclamation of winning senators is set to take place at the Manila Hotel on Saturday afternoon. /jpv