At least four senatorial candidates of the “Otso Diretso” opposition coalition have conceded their defeat in the 2019 senatorial elections.
Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal expressed his gratitude to the people for giving him the opportunity to present his platforms to the people.
“Thank you for this great opportunity and rewarding experience to offer my services to all of you as a public servant in the Senate,” Macalintal said in a statement.
“But from the results coming from all the clustered precincts, it is clear that a great majority of our voters have chosen other candidates. And I respect their decision as I concede defeat in this senatorial race,” Macalintal stressed.
This early, the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) partial and unofficial results show administration-backed candidates leading in the race. Two of the Otso Diretso’s potential bets who have more chances of getting in the race—Sen. Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV and Manuel Roxas II—are still hanging at No. 14 and No. 16, respectively.
Former Solicitor General Florin “Pilo” Hilbay also accepted his defeat, saying “the will of the people is supreme.”
“The will of the people is supreme, so we respect the results of the elections. Congratulations to all the winners, may you serve our country well,” he said, adding he too is grateful to Robredo and Pangilinan for believing in him, a “Batang Tondo” who has great dreams for the country.
Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc, likewise said she is “okay” after the loss: “I’m alright despite what happened.”
“It is with mixed feelings that I concede the senatorial race to those who won the vote of the people. On the one hand, I am very happy to have experienced this amazing journey together with equally amazing people who volunteered, donated and supported our campaign,” Gutoc said, in a press conference in Quezon City.
Former Rep. Erin Tañada, also conceded defeat, saying he has no regrets. “Some people have even urged me before to jump ship and join the ruling political party to boost my chances, but that is not what I believe and what I’m used to,” Tañada said, also during the press conference.
“I don’t pick up a fight where I know I am going to win. I’ve known from the start that this is going to be a difficult campaign,” he added. (Hannah Torregoza)
