Unlike some of her fellow presidential candidates, Vice President Leni Robredo still has not conceded the race to frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. but told her supporters on Tuesday the voice of Filipinos was “becoming clearer and clearer.”
“I know that it’s not easy for you to accept the number coming out of the quick count. It’s clear that it’s not only disappointment but dismay that our side feels. Nevertheless, I tell you: I know we love the country, but this love should not be the cause of divisiveness,” Robredo said in an early morning press conference in Naga City.
“The voice of the people is becoming clearer and clearer. In the name of the Philippines that I know you also love, we need to listen to this voice because in the end we only have one country that we share,” she added in Filipino.
As of 9 p.m. last night, Robredo trailed Marcos Jr. by 16 million votes, but the Vice President thanked those who supported her presidential bid that was built predominantly on volunteer efforts.
Senator Manny Pacquiao, who was in third place behind Marcos and Robredo with just over 3 million votes, conceded late Tuesday.
“The people have spoken. Kaya bigyan naman natin ng pagkakataon ang pagkakaisa para sa kapayapaan ng ating bansa [So, let’s give a chance to unity for peace in our country]. May decision was driven by my utmost desire to serve the country and uplift the lives of poor Filipinos,” he said.
The former world champion boxer also vowed to continue serving Filipinos through his Manny Pacquiao Foundation, adding he would never turn his back on the country and his “fellow poor Pinoys.”
Senator Panfilo Lacson, after losing an uphill battle for the presidency, said he is “going home” through a Twitter post.
Being away too long looking after the needs of other people, Lacson—who ran for President a second time following a failed bid in 2004—said he believed it was time for him to serve his family for a change.
Lacson has been in public service for more than 40 years, as chief of the Philippine National Police, then as a senator.
He also urged his fellow candidates to forget their animosities, hatred, and bitterness so that the country can move forward.
“We have to forget them. Let’s think of the Philippines for a change. Let’s think of the Filipinos for a change,” he added as he thanked his supporters.
“We appreciate every member of the media who helped us tell the stories of Senator Lacson and inform the public about his dreams and aspirations for our country,” said his spokesperson, Ashley Acedillo.
“We believe we did all the best we can with the responsibilities and resources we have been given. We will go out of this 2022 election season with lessons learned. We understand the Filipino people have made their choice loud and clear,” he added.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso also appealed to his supporters to refrain from joining any “disturbance” and urged them to help President-apparent Marcos Jr. as he conceded defeat in the presidential race. Moreno said the country will not succeed without the unity of the public.
“We citizens have a responsibility to support, assist, and join in the activities, goals of the next administration. ‘Let’s not, I called,
let’s not get involved in any trouble, any scandal, or any disagreement,’” Moreno said, in Facebook live.
“We have to give a chance to a new leadership. Yes. We need, as citizens for our country, to succeed, we need to unite. Because,
compatriots, I repeat, we are just one boat,” he added.
The camp of Marcos Jr. lauded the move of the Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer to concede.
“I acknowledge with deepest gratitude and humility the concession of Isko Moreno,” Marcos spokesman lawyer Vic Rodriguez said in astatement.
“Moreno’s call for respect of the election results, appeal for people not to join any disturbance, unity, and support for those chosen by
the electorate is highly commendable and shows his quality statesmanship and genuine patriotism,” he added.
Labor leader and Partido Lakas ng Masa presidential candidate Leody de Guzman on Tuesday admitted defeat in the 2022 polls after placing 8th among 10 candidates.
“I will no longer contest my numbers, which are a far cry from that of the frontrunner. But I feel like the Comelec has to explain the
irregularities, the complaints from people on the ground, the problems with counting, the transmittal, and the results. The Comelec has to respond to the complaints of the people,” he said in Filipino.