BY PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA – “Politics will take care of itself.”
Former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan dismissed speculations he is being groomed to be the administration’s standard bearer in the 2016 elections.
Pangilinan yesterday took his oath in Malacañang as Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization (PAFSAM).
“You can speculate as to the reason behind (my appointment). Whether there are political implications or not, as far as I’m concerned, it’s not my concern. It’s not an issue to me,” the ex-chair of the Senate committee on food said.
In an interview with Panay News, Pangilinan said he is not running for vice president or “in higher office” in the next elections.
As agriculture czar, Pangilinan vowed to “clean-up” the Department of Agriculture and other related agencies to address issues such as corruption and smuggling in this sector.
“I can contribute; a contribution that will be sustainable. Given two years, we can make headway in areas we are tasked to look into,” he said.
Sen. Bam Aquino welcomed the appointment of Pangilinan as PAFSAM.
“I am confident that he will be able to push through with the needed reforms and modernization plans to achieve inclusive growth in the agricultural sector,” said Aquino./PN
