Kiko Pangilinan takes oath before SC Senior Assoc Justice Leonen

Senator-elect Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan took his oath of office for his fourth six-year term before Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen at the Supreme Court in Manila.

Pangilinan chose Justice Leonen to administer the oath due to their friendship, stemming from their time as student leaders at UP Diliman in the 1980s and Leonen serving as Pangilinan's legal officer when he was a Quezon City councilor.

He stated that being sworn in by Justice Leonen is an honor and a challenge to uphold values of integrity, independence, and service, especially for the country's need for hope and good governance.

Pangilinan, who placed fifth in the senatorial race with 15,343,229 votes, reiterated his call for a nationwide feeding program for school-age children and vulnerable communities.

His office stated that he plans to push measures to combat hunger and restore public trust upon his formal return to the Senate, where he will officially begin his term on June 30.

He was joined at the ceremony by his wife, Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan, his mother, Emma Nepomuceno-Pangilinan, and his children, Frankie, Miel, and Miguel.