Middle child - nine brothers and sisters. Husband to Sharon and father to KC, Frankie and Miel.

As a student leader: elected Chairman of the UP Diliman Student Council in 1986, elected Chairman of the College of Arts and Letters Student Council in 1985 under SAMASA (Sandigan Para sa Mag-aaral at Sambayanan) . First Student Regent after Martial Law in 1986

As a lawyer: formed law firm with several associates, the Pangilinan Britannico Sarmiento and Franco Law Office and served as a collaborati ng lawyer with the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG).

As a writer, had an opinion column in the Times Journal in the 80s and the Manila Times in the 90s.

As an athlete: was an NCAA and UAAP track& field and Volleyball medalist in the 80s. Ran the 400 meter hurdles and the 4x 400 m relay in the La Salle HS Track& Field team and played HS and College Varsity Volleyball for La Salle and UP.

As a teacher: taught political, labor and civil law at the Ateneo de Manila University.

As a media practitione r: served as legal analyst for the News and Current Affairs Department of the ABS-CBN Broadcastin g Corporation and head of the stations Legal Desk; wrote on legal matters for Kabayan Daily; hosted Ang Batas and co-hosted Gel Relos with Atty. Kiko on DZMM; a regular on Hoy, Gising! and co-anchor of Barangay Dos. Spent nearly a decade in TV and radio Broadcastin g.

As a public servant: Youngest Councilor of the 4th district of Quezon City in 1988. Member of 12th and 13th Congress. Senate Majority Leader from February 2004 to November 2008.

As an activist: established the National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL) in 1992, an organizatio n of young legislators across the country that advocates strategic development for local governance; a convenor of the Kongreso ng Mamayang Pilipino (KOMPIL) II; formed Pagbabago @Pilipinas, a pro-reform movement that was an outcome of Edsa II.

In May 2007, Sen. Kiko was reelected with a new mandate and ranked among the top 5. He is the first incumbent senator in the nation's history to run as an independent and win.