Former senator Kiko Pangilinan expressed gratitude and disbelief after landing in the Senate race top 5 based on latest partial, unofficial election results.

“I'm very happy and thankful sa ating mga kababayan siyempre unofficial lahat 'yan pero we didn't expect 'yung ganitong klaseng paglabas ng resulta dahil base sa lahat ng resulta ng surveys, wala tayo lagi sa top 12," Pangilinan said.

"Sabi ko nga, kailangan ng milagro para manalo at yun ang nangyari," he added.

Pangilinan recalled seeing the news in his team’s group chat.

"Kala ko fake news sa dami kasi ng fake news na tinatanggap ko araw araw nung kampanya sabi ko, 'totoo ba to? Baka disinformation 'to' but totoo pala. 'Yung mga nagkalat ng fake news laban satin, 'yung taong bayan na mismo ang nakakita at hindi naniwala," he said.

Pangilinan also shared that he received a message from former Vice President Leni Robredo.

"Yes, she sent me a message and she's very happy with the results," Pangilinan said.

He acknowledged the crucial role of volunteers in his campaign.

"Kayo talaga ang puso at diwa ng kampanya sa ating mga volunteers. Alam naman nating lahat, kulang ang ating pondo, hindi sapat ang posters, kulang lagi ang ating campaign materials, maliit ang ating makinarya," he said.

If elected, Pangilinan said he would focus on addressing hunger, high food prices, and food security.

"'Yung mataas na presyo ng bilihin at pagkain at bigas, how do we address itong problema ng gutom and strenghtening our food security? So that would be our priority," he said.

Among his priorities are the full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act, providing free breakfast to students from kindergarten to Grade 12, addressing hunger, improving the quality of education, and increasing the income of farmers and fisherfolk. He also plans to double the agriculture budget to P500 billion over the next three years.