Kiko Pangilinan Clarifies Photo with PBBM and First Lady Liza
KIKO PANGILINAN – The former senator has addressed the photo of him and his wife, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. that circulated online.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on December 17, Pangilinan explained why he attended the “Konsyerto sa Palasyo,” which was held at the Kalayaan Hall Grounds of Malacañang Palace in Manila.
Pangilinan clarified that he accepted an invitation from Malacañang to attend the concert in support of the local film industry and to accompany his wife, Sharon, who is widely recognized as one of the key figures in Philippine cinema. He expressed gratitude to Malacañang for supporting Philippine cinema and reiterated his support for the administration’s decisions, such as the ban on POGOs and its stance on defending the nation’s sovereignty against Chinese threats.
He also emphasized that his presence at the event and support for initiatives of the administration that align with his views do not mean he has abandoned his principles. This statement comes despite the fact that Marcos was a rival to Pangilinan’s running mate, former Vice President Leni Robredo, in the 2022 presidential election.
Meanwhile, Konsyerto sa Palasyo is a cultural event organized by the Philippine government to honor and promote the local film industry. The fifth edition, titled Konsyerto sa Palasyo: Para Pelikulang Pilipino, highlighted the impact of Filipino cinema on arts and culture while also reflecting the administration’s commitment to revitalizing the struggling industry.
The event was also attended by the Unkabogable Star, Vice Ganda. In a previous interview with PTV, the award-winning comedian shared his appreciation for the concert, emphasizing its important role in supporting the Filipino film sector. “Pero sa ngayon, na-aappreciate namin ito. Malaking tulong ito, lalo pa’t talagang naghihingalo ang pelikulang Pilipino. Anumang tulong ay talagang ma-aappreciate nating lahat,” Vice remarked.