Pangilinan says leading opposition slate an ‘uphill battle,’ agrees to disagree with wife Sharon on politics
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said that it would be an “uphill battle” managing the opposition slate this time around now that the Liberal Party members are the “underdogs,” going up against the allies of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“It won’t be easy, but we ultimately believe we have a message we will bring to the people, and hopefully they will respond hopefully by way of supporting our eight candidates,” Pangilinan said in an interview with One News on Thursday evening.
Pangilinan will be the campaign manager of the opposition slate. “We will be managing the campaign, the scheds, we will be managing the schedule as to which areas will be the priorities,” Pangilinan said. “We will also be finalizing the message that we will bring to the people and what we have to offer and managing the finances.”
The “Oposisyon Koalisyon” is fielding eight senatorial aspirants for the midterm elections next year. Included in the opposition slate are reelectionist Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, former Sen. Mar Roxas, Rep. Gary Alejano (Magdalo party-list), former solicitor general Florin Hilbay, former congressman Erin Tañada, veteran lawyer Romulo Macalintal, Maranao leader Samira Gutoc-Tomawis and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno.
READ: Robredo leads intro of 'Oposisyon Koalisyon' Senate bets
Pangilinan said that the slate will campaign on issues they think the current administration has not given priority to, which include “poverty, jobs, and prices of goods.”
“Without articulating the gut issues that will affect our voters, the voters will stay there. Our people are just trying to survive,” he told One News.
'Family members should not be dictated upon'
Pangilinan is often at the receiving end of Duterte’s harsh words, especially over the lawmaker’s Juvenile Justice and Welfare Law, which the president attributes to allowing minors to get away with breaking the law.
He called Pangilinan the “dumbest lawyer” for his role in authoring and passing the law last November 11.
READ: Duterte calls Pangilinan 'dumbest' lawyer over Juvenile Justice Law
Despite this, Cuneta has been publicly seen with the president and his family members.
Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara “Inday” Duterte-Carpio even endorsed Cuneta’s brother Chet for mayor of Pasay City.
READ: Sharon Cuneta says she separates ‘politics from personal life’ then endorses brother
"It happens that we don't agree. I know other families who are on opposite sides of the political fences," Pangilinan said. "So it's a reality. I would like to have it some other way but that's not the case."
Pangilinan said, however, that while it's ideal that families are on the same side politically, this isn't the first time that families have been divided over politics.
"Families were split in the dying days of the Marcos dicatorship," he said. "Last time I've seen this is in the Marcos regime."
He added: "Families should be united, but family members should also not be dictated upon."
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