Despite ranking as low as 17th in the May 1–4 pre-election survey and struggling to break into the “Magic 12,” Pangilinan defied expectations in the 2025 elections by landing in the Top 5 of the senatorial race, based on the partial and unofficial tally of results.
Former Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan admitted that he could not believe it when early reports showed him landing in the top 5 the Senate race, thinking it was just another round of ‘fake news’.
“Sabi ko nga unang nakita ko ang balita, about 7:30-7:45 lumabas na ang initial number, 5 na ako. Sabi ko teka, sa dami ng binato sa aking fake news, hindi kaya fake news na naman ito,” Pangilinan said.
He credited the unexpected turnaround to a final week of intense campaigning, which included regional endorsements from Cebu, Cavite, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), alongside support from influencers and celebrities.
“Yung huling linggo talagang nagpuspusan kami… may political endorsement, merong celebrity endorsement na tuloy-tuloy na tayo ay tumakbo para sa mga kababayan natin naniniwala na may pag-asa pa ang Pilipinas,” he explained.
Pangilinan, who had been a major target of online disinformation, said he had accepted a much lower goal at the start of the campaign.
“Ang pinuntirya ko nga at one point, sabi ko number 12 masaya na ako kahit number 13 pwede na, huwag lang 17,” he shared.
However, with the help of volunteers, his family, and a broad support network, Pangilinan’s campaign steadily gained ground.
He also acknowledged the efforts of Team Kiko, the volunteers, supporters and he called the victory a “team effort," emphasizing that his win is a reflection of the Filipinos’ growing discernment amid a flood of fake news.
“Ako yata ang may summa cum laude ng bashing at disinformation mula January, February walang tigil ang paninira sa akin. Pero sa awa ng Diyos, palagay ko ang ating mga kababayan marunong na kumilatis ng paninira, at sinabi nila doon tayo sa totoo,” he pointed out.
Pangilinan also shared that he had spoken with former Vice President and now Naga Mayor-elect Leni Robredo, former Senator and top contender in the 2025 senatorial race and co-opposition’s returning senator Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV, and Senator Risa Hontiveros during the canvassing of poll results last night.
He further noted that one of the most positive outcomes of his and Aquino’s victory was the restoration of ‘hope’, not just for himself, but for everyone who supported their shared vision of a better Philippines.
“Nanumbalik ang pag-asa. Sa aming mga balikat… tuloy-tuloy itong mga pinapangarap natin mga kababayan, ipaglalaban natin,” Pangilinan vowed to Filipinos.
Based on the tally as of 11:14 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, with 98.92 percent of local election returns (ERs) transmitted, and Pangilinan had garnered 12,814,973 votes, according to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
