Senator Francis Pangilinan was formally announced as Vice President Leni Robredo’s running mate for the 2022 presidential elections on Friday.
During a press conference on Friday at Robredo’s office in the Quezon City Reception House, she introduced Pangilinan as her running mate, saying she is confident that the Senator can address concerns and the responsibilities of a higher office.
“Matagal na natin siyang kilala, subok na subok pagdating sa serbisyong publiko, bilang senador at champion ng justice at human rights, bilang dating presidential assistant for food security and agricultural modernization, bilang tiga-pagsulong ng karapatan at kapakanan ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda, talagang ibinuhos niya ang kanyang buong sarili para maiangat ang ordinaryong Pilipino,” Robredo said.
“At wala akong duda na kayang-kaya at handang-handa na siyang tumugon sa mas malaking hamon, at sa mas malakas na tawag ng paglilingkod. Karangalan ko na ipakilala sa inyo ang magiging kasangga natin sa pagtakbo, ang ating bise presidente, walang iba kung hindi si Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan,” she added.
On Friday, Pangilinan submitted his certificate of candidacy.
Pangilinan, along with Senator Leila De Lima and former Senator Bam Aquino, was previously nominated by LP as one of its senatorial bets for next year’s elections.
Aquino, on the other hand, has announced that he will no longer run for the position and will instead serve as Robredo’s campaign manager.
“Hiniling niya sa akin na maging kaniyang campaign manager sa kinakailangan ngunit napakahirap na laban na ito. Bagkus mayroon nang paghahanda patungo sa ating pagkandidato bilang senador muli, minarapat ko na isantabi ito para sa mas mahalagang laban para sa ating bayan,” Aquino said in a statement.
“Kahapon po, nagdeklara tayo ng kandidatura sa pagka-pangulo, dumeretso tayo agad sa Comelec sa filing venue, sa Sofitel para pormal na maghain ng ating certificate of candidacy […] kaninang umaga po bumalik tayo sa Sofitel para samahan naman ang isa pa nating kaakibat sa misyong ito,” Robredo explained.
Robredo declared her presidential candidacy on Thursday, putting an end to months of speculation about whether she would run for higher office in the 2022 elections.
Following her announcement, rumors circulated that Pangilinan was chosen as her running mate.