Press Release
April 27, 2009

KIKO PANGILINAN EXPRESSED APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE
OVER KAPATIRAN'S DRAFTING

Independent Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan today expressed his appreciation for Catholic political party Ang Kapatiran's move to draft him as possible standard-bearer in 2010 presidential election.

Party president Eric Manalang lauded Pangilinan's decision to run as independent in the 2007 senatorial elections, turning down offers to run with both administration and opposition parties.

"Malaki ang ating pasasalamat sa nominasyon ng Kapatiran Party dahil hindi maaaring tawaran ang sinseridad at integridad ng kanilang partido. I would also like to thank them for recognizing my efforts in becoming independent. I have long stood by my principles in staying away from 'politics as usual'. I have come to realize in my eight years in the Senate that change can only happen when the leaders themselves lead the charge for change," said Pangilinan.

Pangilinan has hinted at running for the vice presidency, once again as an independent. Manalang said that "maybe he (Pangilinan) has to look beyond the vice presidency."

"At this point, more important than fielding a presidential candidate is building a united front amongst reformists and progressive groups in order to give our people a viable alternative to 'trapo' politics,' Pangilinan said.

"The greater challenge at this point is to be able to unite the different forces committed to genuine change and sweeping reforms in our politics and governance. There are quite a number of initiatives coming from well-meaning groups and individuals. There is the Kaya Natin Movement, The Moral Force, and Movement for Good Governance among others. If these initiatives are unable to come together and unite, then these separate reform efforts will not succeed in defeating the 'traditional' political forces representing 'more of the same' and 'politics as usual.' If a new and independent force is to emerge triumphant against 'trapo' politics, it must succeed in uniting all forces committed to genuine change."

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