Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan officially filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) today, Thursday for Vice President in the May 2022 polls at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City. 

A day after VP Robredo announced her Presidential Candidacy, Pangilinan showed up today at the COMELEC and filed his COC as running-mate of Robredo. Initially, Pangilinan was among the five Senatorial bets announced by the Liberal Party in which he is the current party President. 

Pangilinan explained in a statement that this last minute-decision was a “Call of Duty” which encouraged him to bid for the second most powerful position in the land.

“Wala akong kawala. Tinawag tayo ng tungkulin, call of duty, hindi lang kay ma’am Leni, hindi lang sa partido, koalisyon o sa hanay ng mga supporters pero sagradong tungkulin sa buong bansa. Kung may pagkakataong makatulong sa mas marami, kung may pagkakataong maglingkod sa mas malawak na paraan, kung tatawagin sa mataas na katungkulan, tungkulin natin tumugon lalo na sa gitna ng pinakamatinding crisis sa kalusugan at ekonomiya ng bansa,” he stated in a press conference held today. 

The Senator led the campaign bid of opposition slate Otso Diretso in the 2019 midterm elections.  He served as Senate Majority Leader from 2004-2008 and is now serving his third term in the Senate. Pangilinan authored the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law, Free Internet Access in Public Places Act, and was the principal author of the Coco Levy Fund Law.

Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo, Pangilinan’s running-mate, accompanied him as he filed his COC today. However, Pangilinan will run under the Liberal Party (LP) unlike Robredo who opted to run as an independent. 

Today is the last day of the filing for the Certificate of Candidacy for everyone vying for a position in the May 2022 local and national elections.