Sharon asks voters: ‘Bakit ba ayaw nyong iboto si Kiko?’

May 7, 2025

Sharon Cuneta

SINGER-ACTRESS Sharon Cuneta was overcome with emotion as she addressed the entertainment press last Monday afternoon at Valencia Events Place. She was there to support her husband, senatorial candidate and former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.

Fighting back tears, the Megastar expressed deep gratitude for the enduring support of Regal Entertainment’s Roselle Monteverde and son, Atty. Keith Monteverde, as well as the press who, she said, had been with her since the start of her career in her early teens.

She recalled that during one of the lowest points in her career — when no producer would give her a project — it was the late Regal Films matriarch, Mother Lily Monteverde, who offered her one. She also remembered how Mother Lily had consistently supported Pangilinan’s political career.

The press conference was also attended by actors Phi Palmos and Iza Calzado, who voiced their support for Pangilinan. Iza shared a personal story about encountering him on a flight in 2022 and being moved by his humility.

“Pinagmamasdan ko lang. Asan kaya ang mga bodyguard nito? Wala akong naramdaman na presensya na magsasabi na VIP ako. Nakatapak sa lupa. Nakita ko po ‘yun, sir,” she said.

Calzado, who had supported Pangilinan since the early days of his campaign, also highlighted his advocacy for food security and free meals for students. “Napakaimportante po ng food security… Bakit merong krimen? Bakit nagfa-fail tayo sa pagpasa? Gutom ang tao,” she emphasized.

According to Pangilinan’s sister, Angeli Valenciano, more than 40 personalities from the entertainment industry have shown their support through social media, motorcades, and other means. These include Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo, Donny Pangilinan, Bianca Gonzalez, Angel Aquino, Saab Magalona, Cooky Chua, Bayang Barrios, Jake Ejercito, Ogie Diaz, Jolina Magdangal, Regine and Ogie Alcasid, Anne Curtis, Janine Gutierrez, Maja Salvador, John Arcilla, Neri Naig, and Parokya ni Edgar.

Sharon, who was unable to attend Mother Lily’s wake due to travel, made sure to express her appreciation to the Monteverde family. “My heart is overflowing with gratitude… Talagang pamilya tayo,” she said.

She also took the opportunity to defend her husband against what she called “relentless attacks and disinformation.”

“I never liked politics kasi nga, in the Philippines, pagkaganda-ganda man ng intensyon mo, pagkaayos-ayos man ng puso mo, natatalo ka ng fake news at ng budget na bilyon-bilyon ng ibang kandidato — na wala naman kami. Lahat ng meron kami, pinaghirapan naming dalawa,” she said.

“Bakit po ba ayaw nyong iboto si Kiko? Ano po ‘yung mga doubts ninyo? Kasi lahat ng kasinungalingang nilalabas laban sa kanya, may resibo kaming katapat… Napaka-blessed ko dahil binigyan ako ng asawang hindi ako sasaktan at magiging mabuting ama. Kiko doesn’t have a lot, but everything he has, he gives to us.”

She spoke candidly about the toll of public service, emphasizing that their family never gained wealth through politics. “This is also his heart for the country. Hindi naman kami yumaman sa politika. He served for over two decades. Wala kaming inasenso. Nagtatrabaho pa rin kami. At 59, I still work, because my husband still works. We think of our children. Everything we have has come from honest, hard work.”

Roselle Monteverde said hosting the event was their way of honoring her mother’s legacy. “My mom was an advocate for good governance. As children of Mother Lily, we just want to continue the legacy she left us. She loved this country a lot… We’re here to support Kiko because we believe in him.”

Despite the many challenges of the campaign, Pangilinan expressed gratitude for continuing to place in the top 12 of senatorial surveys. SINGER-ACTRESS Sharon Cuneta was overcome with emotion as she addressed the entertainment press last Monday afternoon at Valencia Events Place. She was there to support her husband, senatorial candidate and former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.

Fighting back tears, the Megastar expressed deep gratitude for the enduring support of Regal Entertainment’s Roselle Monteverde and son, Atty. Keith Monteverde, as well as the press who, she said, had been with her since the start of her career in her early teens.

She recalled that during one of the lowest points in her career — when no producer would give her a project — it was the late Regal Films matriarch, Mother Lily Monteverde, who offered her one. She also remembered how Mother Lily had consistently supported Pangilinan’s political career.

The press conference was also attended by actors Phi Palmos and Iza Calzado, who voiced their support for Pangilinan. Iza shared a personal story about encountering him on a flight in 2022 and being moved by his humility.

“Pinagmamasdan ko lang. Asan kaya ang mga bodyguard nito? Wala akong naramdaman na presensya na magsasabi na VIP ako. Nakatapak sa lupa. Nakita ko po ‘yun, sir,” she said.

Calzado, who had supported Pangilinan since the early days of his campaign, also highlighted his advocacy for food security and free meals for students. “Napakaimportante po ng food security… Bakit merong krimen? Bakit nagfa-fail tayo sa pagpasa? Gutom ang tao,” she emphasized.

According to Pangilinan’s sister, Angeli Valenciano, more than 40 personalities from the entertainment industry have shown their support through social media, motorcades, and other means. These include Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo, Donny Pangilinan, Bianca Gonzalez, Angel Aquino, Saab Magalona, Cooky Chua, Bayang Barrios, Jake Ejercito, Ogie Diaz, Jolina Magdangal, Regine and Ogie Alcasid, Anne Curtis, Janine Gutierrez, Maja Salvador, John Arcilla, Neri Naig, and Parokya ni Edgar.

Sharon, who was unable to attend Mother Lily’s wake due to travel, made sure to express her appreciation to the Monteverde family. “My heart is overflowing with gratitude… Talagang pamilya tayo,” she said.

She also took the opportunity to defend her husband against what she called “relentless attacks and disinformation.”

“I never liked politics kasi nga, in the Philippines, pagkaganda-ganda man ng intensyon mo, pagkaayos-ayos man ng puso mo, natatalo ka ng fake news at ng budget na bilyon-bilyon ng ibang kandidato — na wala naman kami. Lahat ng meron kami, pinaghirapan naming dalawa,” she said.

“Bakit po ba ayaw nyong iboto si Kiko? Ano po ‘yung mga doubts ninyo? Kasi lahat ng kasinungalingang nilalabas laban sa kanya, may resibo kaming katapat… Napaka-blessed ko dahil binigyan ako ng asawang hindi ako sasaktan at magiging mabuting ama. Kiko doesn’t have a lot, but everything he has, he gives to us.”

She spoke candidly about the toll of public service, emphasizing that their family never gained wealth through politics. “This is also his heart for the country. Hindi naman kami yumaman sa politika. He served for over two decades. Wala kaming inasenso. Nagtatrabaho pa rin kami. At 59, I still work, because my husband still works. We think of our children. Everything we have has come from honest, hard work.”

Roselle Monteverde said hosting the event was their way of honoring her mother’s legacy. “My mom was an advocate for good governance. As children of Mother Lily, we just want to continue the legacy she left us. She loved this country a lot… We’re here to support Kiko because we believe in him.”

Despite the many challenges of the campaign, Pangilinan expressed gratitude for continuing to place in the top 12 of senatorial surveys. – G Trillana