Ka Leody de Guzman, Tito Sotto concede election defeat
A number of candidates have conceded defeat in the 2022 national elections based on the transmittal of the partial and unofficial results from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Ka Leody de Guzman told ABS-CBN in an interview that though his numbers are too low to catch up in the presidential race, he is still calling on the Comelec to explain issues that dogged the elections.
Based on the latest tally, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is poised to win the presidency with over 30 million votes, followed by Leni Robredo at far second with 14.75 million. De Guzman, who ran under the Partido Lakas ng Masa, was at 7th with 91,718.
“Hindi ko naman ilalaban 'yung malayong boto ko. Hindi ko na ilalaban ‘yan para makaabot pa ako,” De Guzman told ABS-CBN.
“Pero ako nama’y naniniwala na mayroon dapat ipaliwanag ang Comelec sa dami ng report ng mga irregularities, sa dami ng reklamo ng mga tao mula doon sa ground, sa bilangan, transmittal, hanggang sa result na inilalabas ng Comelec.”
Around 2,000 vote-counting machines malfunctioned yesterday, May 9, due to issues such as scanning, printing, paper jams, and rejected ballots. The poll body, however, said that most of these glitches were quickly resolved by either repairing or replacing the defective unit.
Sen. Tito Sotto III has also waived the white flag in the vice presidential race.
“The people have made their choice. I accept the will of the People,” Sotto said in a press statement.
Nag-concede na si Senate Pres. Tito Sotto sa vice presidential race. Ayon kay Sotto, tinatanggap niya ang naging desisyon at kagustuhan ng taumbayan. Nakakuha ang senador ng 8,100,944 na boto base sa partial and unofficial tally as of 10:20 a.m., May 10. pic.twitter.com/7BNyBqbfvT
— News5 (@News5PH) May 10, 2022
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, the running mate of Marcos Jr., is leading the vice-presidential candidates with a commanding 31 million votes. Duterte is followed by Kiko Pangilinan with 9 million, and Sotto with 8 million.
“We presented an alternative for a better system of governance and politics but the electorate had their minds conditioned elsewhere. Our word of honor and loyatly are of far greater importance than an election win,” said Sotto.
Thanksgiving mass
Meanhile, Robredo, who addressed her supporters yesterday, has released a statement thanking her supporters anew and saying she will attend a thanksgiving mass in Naga at 5:30 pm today, May 10, and another in Manila on May 13.
“Dalangin ko ang kapanatagan ng loob at linaw ng kinabukasan para sa ating lahat,” said Robredo.
Muli, nagpapasalamat ako sa sipag, pagkamalikhain, at pusong dinala ng ating hanay sa kampanya. Dahil sa inyo, nasilip natin ang uri ng lipunang kaya nating maabot.
— Leni Robredo (@lenirobredo) May 10, 2022
Alam kong pinoproseso pa ninyo ang mga pangyayari kahapon.
Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, who is trailing in the latest count for the senatorial race, has also acknowledged the initial results of the elections even as he vowed to remain vigilant.
Diokno currently ranks 19th in the most recent count.
“Patuloy tayong magmomonitor hanggang lahat ng boto ay nabilang at naipaliwanag ang mga iregularidad. Ngunit sa ngayon, malinaw ang resulta ng Quick Count, at sa isang demokrasya, karapa-dapat na tanggapin ng pasya ng taumbayan,” said Diokno.
Patuloy tayong magmomonitor hanggang lahat ng boto ay nabilang at naipaliwanag ang mga iregularidad. Ngunit sa ngayon, malinaw ang resulta ng Quick Count, at sa isang demokrasya, karapa-dapat na tanggapin ng pasya ng taumbayan.
— Chel Diokno (@ChelDiokno) May 10, 2022
In a press briefing on Tuesday, May 10, Manila City mayor Isko Moreno, who is placing fourth in the presidential race, said he concedes to Marcos Jr.
"Nais kong batiin si dating senardor Ferndinand Marcos sa kanyang pangunguna at patuloy na pangunguna. I hope it can be official soon at matapos na at mapapanatag na ang lahat," he said.
"Binabati ko ang pamily ani dating senador Ferdinand Marcos sa pagpili sa kanya ng higit nakararami sa ating mga kababayan na maging hahalinhin bilang pangulo ng bansa," he added.
