Pangilinan says prayer vital in his political journey

MANILA – Vice presidential candidate Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Wednesday shared how prayer has been an important element in his political journey, and that he believes miracles often happen.

"Mahalaga itong panalangin. Ako’y naniniwala sa loob ng halos apat na dekada nating paglilingkod mula pa noong ako’y student leader hanggang sa ako’y naging senador, nakita natin sa pulitika at sa ibang larangan, naniniwala pa rin ako sa milagro at sa panalangin. (Prayer is vital. I believe that in almost four decades -- from being a student leader to becoming a senator -- I believe in miracles and prayer, whether in the field of politics or in other fields)," he said in an online prayer gathering for him and his running mate, Leni Robredo.

Pangilinan said being presidential aspirant Robredo's running mate was not part of his plan, as he was gunning for reelection.

He realized, however, that his plans may be different from what should happen.

"Yung gusto sana nating mangyari at yung mga gustong mangyari ng Diyos ay iba, ika nga eh God has his purpose and I felt at that point na itong paghiling sa atin ni Vice President Leni ay bagamat hindi ito ang ginugusto ko at hindi ito ang plano ko ay agad-agad po kaming nanalangin. (Sometimes, what we wanted may be different from God's will. As they say, God has His purpose, and I felt that when Vice President Leni asked me. Although I did not aspire to be a vice presidentiable, I immediately prayed for guidance)," he said.

Pangilinan added that his wife, Sharon, and daughter also sought guidance from the Lord.

"Nung nagdesisyon na kami ni Vice President Leni, ‘yung nangyari ay hindi namin inaasahan. Kumbaga, (When I and Vice President Leni decided, we did not expect it. As if) little miracles happen every day when people started to come out in their vast numbers to support our bid. It was a surprise for us," Pangilinan said.

He considered Robredo's victory in the vice presidential race in 2016 a miracle.

"From 1 percent to 37 percent naipanalo ni Vice President Leni ang kanyang kandidatura. ‘Yan ay milagro rin. Ako’y naniniwala. (From 1 percent to 37 percent of the votes, Vice president Leni won the race. That is also a miracle, and I believe),” he said.

Pangilinan vowed to prioritize the poorest, saying: “We can never be a strong nation unless the lost, the least, are given attention, the least of our brethren are given the support."

Meanwhile, Pangilinan made a courtesy call to Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, before heading to a volunteers' thanksgiving event in Malabon.

Mayor Lenlen Oreta raised Pangilinan's hand during the latter's courtesy call at Malabon City Hall. (PNA)