WHILE many local politicians ditch Senator Kiko Pangilinan as their vice-presidential bet, the farmers from Barangay San Nicolas, San Simon town came out on Saturday evening, April 9, 2022, to endorse his candidacy for the May 2022 polls.
During the Manakalaran: Pampanga People’s Rally, the Simonian farmers surprised Pangilinan onstage to show their full support for his bid for the second-highest post in the country.
The farmers led by 87-year-old Virgilio Alfaro stood up for Pangilinan after the vice-presidential candidate personally visited and had a dialogue with their group in Barangay San Nicolas in January 2022.
“Kahit may trabaho kami, pinilit naming pumunta dito para kay Leni at Kiko. Wala kaming bayad,” said one of the farmers after they formally raised the hands of Robredo and Pangilinan before the 220,000 crowd.
Pangilinan, who became emotional, expressed gratitude to the Simonian farmers for their support of him.
“Sila po ipinaglalaban namin ni Vice President Leni, para iangat ang kanilang buhay at kabuhayan, kasama ang mga mangingisda,” he said.
Pangilinan, who also describes himself as a farmer, has been promising to prioritize reform in the agriculture sector to ensure that farmers and fishermen will benefit the most from their produce.