BY RAYMOND AFRICA, ASHZEL HACHERO and PETER TABINGO
PRESIDENTIAL candidates Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” and labor leader Leody de Guzman yesterday conceded the May 9 presidential race to run-away leader former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Marcos has lagged 31,033,854 votes in partial and unofficial election results as of 7 p.m. on Tuesday, with 98 percent of election returns tallied.
Lacson said in a tweet: “I’m going home. After being away too long looking after the needs of other people, it is time to serve my family for a change. Enjoying peace and quiet in these challenging times will probably be my life’s greatest reward.”
Lacson has earlier said that should he lose the presidential contest, he will go back to his farmland in Silang, Cavite to be a “farmer.” He has expressed reservations against accepting any Cabinet position if he is offered any by the new president.
Lacson has consistently ranked fifth in pre-election surveys with two to four voter preference. As of noontime Tuesday, Lacson has only garnered 878,419 votes or 1.67 percent of the votes cast.
‘CONGRATULATIONS’
Moreno said the voters have made their voices heard on whom they want to lead the country after the term of President Duterte ends on June 30.
“Mayroon na pong pinili ang taumbayan. Sa kasalukuyan ay nais kong batiin si dating Senador Ferdinand Marcos sa kanyang pangunguna at patuloy na pangunguna. Binabati ko ang pamilya ni dating senador Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa pagpili sa kanya ng higit na nakakarami sa ating mga kababayan. Congratulations po sa inyo (The people have already made a choice. At present, I would like to congratulate former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.),” Moreno said in his Special Report program.
Partial and unofficial tallies as of 7 p.m. Tuesday showed that Moreno got 1,887,120 votes, placing fourth in the presidential race.
The 47-year-old city executive has consistently landed fourth in pre-election surveys.
Despite the defeat, Moreno said he will continue serving Manileños up to the last day of his term as mayor.
“Life must go on. Katulad po ng ipinangako ko noon sa inyo, hanggang sa kahuli-hulihang araw ko po bilang alkalde ng lungsod ng Maynila ay magtratrabaho po ako (Just like what I promised you, I will serve as mayor of Manila until the last day of my term. I will focus on my job),” he said.
“In a few days, I will be citizen Isko na, hindi na Yorme (I will be private citizen Isko, no longer Yorme),” he added.
Moreno also asked his supporters to respect the will of the majority and not to participate in any violent acts.
“Wag po tayong makikibahagi sa anumang gulo o alingasngas (Let us not participate in any disorder). We have to give chance to the new leadership,” he said, even as he appealed to all Filipinos to support the incoming administration.
“Sa ating mga kababayan ang aking panawagan hindi po magtatagumpay ang susunod na administrasyon pag patuloy ang ating hinagpis, kalungkutan o sama ng loob. Sa aking mga supporters at mga bumoto sa akin, kailangan natin magkaisa at tulungan ang mga bagong pinili ng ating mga kababayan (To my countrymen, the incoming administration would not succeed if our resentment and ill feeling will continue. To my supporters and to those who voted for me, we need to unite and help the leaders chosen by the majority),” he said.
He said Marcos Jr. and his running mate, Sara Duterte and the other newly elected leaders would not succeed if the people would always remain divided.
“Ang pagboto ay isa lamang sa mga responsibilidad ng mamamayan pero dapat kasama din diyan ang responsibilidad na makiisa at tumulong sa layunin ng susunod na administrasyon (Voting is just one responsibility of the citizenry but added to that is the responsibility to help the next administration),” Moreno said.
Marcos’ chief of staff and spokesman Victor Rodriguez said Moreno showed “quality statesmanship and genuine patriotism” as he welcomed the city mayor’s concession and his call for the people to respect the results of the elections.
“Indeed, the mode to drive forward without any delay right after the conclusion of this political exercise should be the case. As we all agree and recognize that the will of the people is law, we also recognize that we are facing inevitable challenges ahead as a nation.
That we may focus soonest on the satisfaction and fulfillment of the needs and aspirations of our countrymen comes forth as our paramount desire. Together, as one race, as one nation, we shall rise pure in our common resolve to face our destiny of securing our solid position in the family of nations. Let this be the beginning towards great things to come for the Philippines,” Rodriguez said.
‘FIGHT RAGES ON’
For his part, De Guzma said he is proud to have broken ground on behalf of the working class by proving that a candidate like himself can wage a national campaign for the presidency despite meager resources.
The Partido Lakas ng Masa bet said: “Tanggap ko ‘yung pagkatalo sa eleksyong ito. At ako ay nagpapasalamat sa aking mga supporters na hindi bumitaw doon sa pagsuporta sa akin.
At nanawagan na rin ako sa kanila na tuloy ang laban para sa P750 na [national minimum wage] (We lost in the elections, it’s time to move on. But I want to thank all my supporters who worked hard against all odds and to remind them that we will continue to fight for the P750 [national minimum wage]).”
He said his group will keep pushing for the end to labor contractualization, land-grabbing by local warlords and wealthy interests against small farmers.
With the benefit of hindsight, de Guzman said a bootstrap campaign faces a lopsided battle against popular names and moneyed candidates.
“Pwede pala ang isang manggawa, lider ng labor sector na tumakbo sa posisyong president. Yun nga lang tanggapin din natin na yung sitwasyon ng eleksyon sa ating bansa ay dominado pa rin ng personalidad, mga bilyonaryo, pera-pera (We have shown that a working man can represent the labor sector and run for president. And yet, it is undeniable that our elections are still dominated by influential personalities and billionaires),” he said.
To flip the uneven contest, De Guzman said a penniless candidate has to work twice as hard to reach many people that they cannot keep choosing their leaders from the society’s elites and expect genuine reforms.
With Marcos Jr. headed to victory, the labor leader said he and the other candidates in his ticket will go back to their advocacies for people’s rights.
“The fight rages on. We will rejoin our countrymen in other sector with my vice president Walden (Bello) and senatorial candidates Luke Espiritu, Boy Cabonegro, and David D’ Angelo. Our supporters know there are campaigns to be won even without an election,” he said.
SOTTO CONCEDES, TOO
Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who is Lacson’s vice presidential candidate, yesterday also conceded to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Marcos Jr.’s running mate who is also leading by a wide margin over her rivals.
“The people have made their choice. I accept the will of the people,” Sotto said in a statement.
Sotto said he and Lacson have presented an alternative program of government anchored on fighting graft and corruption, and full transparency, but lamented “the electorate had their minds conditioned elsewhere.”
“Our word of honor and loyalty are of far greater importance than an election win. I am glad that I did not yield to any political pressure to change my principles and kept my integrity intact till the end,” Sotto said.
It can be recalled that Sotto has been offered to partner with other presidential candidates so he can have a better chance of winning against Duterte-Carpio, who has consistently led in the pre-election surveys.
Sotto stuck it out with Lacson until the end.
“Godspeed to our new president and vice president and I quote from the Holy Book — Joshua 24:15, ‘But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord’,” he added.
Sotto said his loss in this election may not be the last time he will be seen in public as he is likely to accept an offer for him to be part of a television talk show.
The Lacson-Sotto Media Bureau thanked the media for its help and support. In its parting message, the Lacson-Sotto media bureau said it appreciates the efforts of the media to “tell the stories of Senator Lacson and inform the public about his dreams and aspirations for our country.”
“We believe we did all the best we can with the responsibilities and resources we have been given. We will get out of this 2022 election season with lessons learned. We understand the Filipino people have made their choice loud and clear,” it said in a statement.
“Here’s hoping everyone regardless of political affiliations can move forward and work together under a new leadership for the sake of the entire Filipino nation. Hanggang sa muli, maraming salamat po (until we meet again, thank you).” — With Jocelyn Montemayor
