Criticizing political campaigns powered by “big machinery” and “billions of pesos,” senatorial aspirant and Sto. Tomas native Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan attributed his campaign’s success to the volunteerism of his supporters during his “hometown” campaign rally held at Tiangge Park in Barangay Cutud, Angeles City, April 23.
Addressing an audience of approximately 2,000 attendees, as reported by the #KikoNasaPusoNgPampanga campaign rally organizers, Pangilinan shared that his campaign for senate will veer away from focusing on promotional expenditure — relying instead on organic, people-led efforts.
“Wala tayong malaking makinarya sa halalan na ito. Wala tayong bilyon-bilyong pisong halaga na igagasta para sa kampanya. Saksi kayo, bago pa mag-umpisa ang kampanyang ito, bumubuhos na ang bilyon-bilyong piso ng ating mga katunggali sa mga streamer, sa mga TV ads, sa mga radyo. Mali ‘yon. Ayaw natin ng ganoon,” Pangilinan said.
“Ang kampanya ko? Milyong milyon lang. Milyong milyon lang na pakiusap. Milyong milyon lang na pakikisuyo sa mga kaibigan, kakilala, at mga volunteer. Sa marami pa sa inyo rito ngayon na nagbibigay ng kung ano ang kaya o kung ano ang meron kayo para maipanalo natin ang tapat at totoong pagseserbisyo,” the senatorial aspirant emphasized.
Furthering his point, Pangilinan relayed the success of his 2007 senatorial run under the Liberal Party, wherein his campaign chose not to ally with the administration of then-president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo or with the other political tickets.
“Tumindig tayo nang mag-isa dahil sa prinsipyo. Tumindig ako nang mag-isa dahil sa paninindigan. Sa tao ako nagtiwala. Hindi sa malaking makinarya. Hindi sa malaking pera—at nanalo ako bilang independent,” he stressed, adding that he had become Pampanga’s “number one” senator during the 2007 National and Local Elections (NLE).
According to campaign rally host and organizing team member Justin Dizon, the Pampanga rally was made “close to grand” compared to other rallies as an homage to the candidate’s hometown—which Pangilinan repeatedly thanked for ensuring his three-term service in the Senate, sharing that he had made sure that all 19 municipalities and three cities within the province had benefited from his spearheaded projects in thanks for their “trust and true service.”
“Ing kampanyang ini, it reminds us of what we had noong 2022. Ing kampanyang ini, people’s campaign ya. Alang makaying pera, alang makaying makinarya, ala tang pangmudmud ayuda, ala tang pangmudmud pera,” Dizon said, adding that the campaign is backed by volunteerism akin to the 2022 campaign of then-vice-presidential candidate Pangilinan and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo.
(This campaign reminds us of what we had during 2022. This campaign is a people’s campaign. Not much money, not much machinery, not much financial aid.)
“Ing kampanyang ini, patunayan tamu na ali tamu kailangang manuhul, ali ta kailangang manyaling botu, ali ta kailangan deng kandidatung mapagnako, mapangurakut,” the campaign rally host asserted.
(This campaign proves that we do not need to bribe, that we do not need to buy votes, and that we don’t need candidates who steal and corrupt.)
Throughout the event, Pangilinan repeatedly thanked his Kapampangan supporters, attributing the perseverance of the campaign to their voluntary efforts, monetary donations, campaigning assistance, and more.
“Sa inyo ako humuhugot ng dagdag na tapang at lakas para ipanalo ang ating kampanya. May pag-asa ako dahil nariyan kayo… Kayo ang aking not-so-secret weapon na lalabanan ang mga katunggaling maraming nilalabas at pinamumudmod ng pera pang billboard at poster,” the Pampanga native expressed.
Joining Pangilinan at the campaign rally were various celebrity personalities and musicians such as Aya Fernandez, Chito Miranda, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Pooh, and DJ Suzy — alongside Pangilinan’s wife Sharon Cuneta and nephew Donny Pangilinan.
Also present at the event were Over October, Rivermaya, and Lazy Juan, a local student-led indie band.
It can be recalled that the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate held a Pampanga campaign sortie on the same day across four different venues; each leg featured the express support of local politicians such as the provincial Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda and Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, who joined the first leg of the sortie, along with District Rep. Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II and AC Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr.
