Francis Pangilinan
Francis Pangilinan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Official portrait, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senator-elect of the Philippines | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assuming office June 30, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeding | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senator of the Philippines | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office May 6, 2014 – September 15, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| President | Benigno Aquino III | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Position established | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Fredelita Guiza | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Member of the Quezon City Council from the 4th district | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office June 30, 1988 – June 30, 1992 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Francis Pancratius Nepomuceno Pangilinan August 24, 1963 Manila, Philippines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political party | Liberal (2001–present) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other political affiliations | LDP (1988–1992) Independent (1992–2001) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relations | KC Concepcion (step-daughter) Pablo Cuneta (father-in-law) Helen Gamboa (aunt-in-law) Maricel Laxa (sister-in-law) Gary Valenciano (brother-in-law) Donny Pangilinan (nephew) Gab Valenciano (nephew) Kiana Valenciano (niece) Chito Miranda (nephew) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 3, incl. Kakie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residence | Ayala Westgrove Heights | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines Diliman (BA, LL.B) Harvard University (MPA) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation |
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| Profession | Lawyer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Signature | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | Official website | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Francis Pancratius "Kiko" Nepomuceno Pangilinan ([paŋɪˈlinan]; born August 24, 1963) is a Filipino lawyer, politician, and farm owner who is a senator-elect of the Philippines. He previously served as senator from 2001 to 2013 and from 2016 to 2022 and was the Senate majority floor leader from 2004 to 2008.
A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law and the Harvard Kennedy School, Pangilinan began his political career as the youngest elected councilor of Quezon City, serving from 1988 to 1992, and later founded the National Movement of Young Legislators. He then worked as a television and radio host for ABS-CBN, notably co-hosting the public service program Hoy Gising! (1993–1997) as a legal expert.
During his first two Senate terms, Pangilinan authored landmark legislation such as a juvenile justice law that has since been called the "Pangilinan Law" and an organic farming protection law. After serving as Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization under President Benigno Aquino III from 2014 to 2015, he returned to the Senate for a third term in 2016. Throughout his career, Pangilinan has strongly advocated for agriculture and food security, authoring the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 and the Sagip Saka Act (transl. Save the Farm Act) of 2019, both aimed at supporting small-scale farmers and modernizing agricultural productivity.
Pangilinan served as president of the Liberal Party during his third Senate term from 2016 to 2022, emerging as a prominent opposition figure during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. He consistently criticized policies he viewed as undermining democratic institutions, including the war on drugs, attempts to reinstate the death penalty, and proposals for constitutional amendments that could extend term limits.
In the 2022 national elections, Pangilinan ran for vice president as the running mate of Vice President Leni Robredo. He was defeated by Sara Duterte, the daughter of Rodrigo Duterte. He returned to media briefly in 2024, hosting public affairs programs focusing on agriculture and grassroots issues. Pangilinan was re-elected to the Senate in the 2025 elections, emphasizing food security and farmers' welfare in his campaign. He is married to actress and singer Sharon Cuneta, with whom he runs an organic family farm in Cavite.