A family photograph featuring Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan, his wife Sharon Cuneta, their children, and employees of Misibis Aviation and Development Corporation surfaced during a meeting convened by former congressman Mike Defensor. 

The presentation of the photo allegedly ties the Pangilinan family to a company linked to former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, who is currently embroiled in a controversy involving his alleged former security personnel.

Senator Pangilinan fired back at the presentation, dismissing the move as a baseless smear campaign designed to sabotage his upcoming role. 

The senator is slated to sit as the chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee tasked with investigating a massive, multi-billion-peso flood-control scam. 

In a fiery statement on social media, Pangilinan slammed the allegations surrounding the "suitcases" of stolen public funds as pure theater and political mudslinging with zero factual backing.

“Wala ni katiting na basehan ang mga tangkang pagdungis sa aking pagkatao ng mga nagpa-presscon tungkol sa mga maletang kaugnay sa bilyon-bilyong pisong ninakaw sa kaban ng bayan.” Senator Pangilinan wrote on his social media account.

Furious that his family was dragged into the political crossfire, Pangilinan vowed to retaliate through formal legal channels rather than public relations stunts. 

The lawmaker warned his detractors that they will face full accountability in a court of law for defamation and damages. 

"At dahil dinamay niyo pa ang pamilya ko, makakatikim kayo ng hindi pasaring, alegasyon, o palabas na kaso sa korte. Pananagutan ninyo ang paninirang ginagawa niyo." Pangilinan stated, drawing a hard line against the attacks on his character.

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