Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Antonio Trillanes IV accepted their defeat in the vice presidential race early Tuesday (May 10).
The partial unofficial results from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) show Escudero in fourth place with about 4.6 million votes and Trillanes in fifth place with over 792,000 votes as of 9:00 a.m. Tuesday.
Escudero announced in his hometown in Sorsogon that he will no longer contest the election, and called on Filipinos to support winners in the 2016 polls.
“Sana imbis na magpatuloy yung hidwaan at bangayan, kung sino man ang mananalo, bigay natin sa kanila ang ating suporta, dahil tatayo sila bilang pangulo at ikalawang pangulo ng buong bansa,” Escudero said.
[Translation: I hope that instead of continuing the rifts and quarrels, let us give our support to the winners because they will serve as the president and vice president of the entire nation.]
Shortly thereafter, Trillanes also issued his concession statement.
“As our countrymen await the final victor, I hereby concede defeat in the vice-presidential race. I humbly submit to the will of the people for they are sovereign in our democracy. May God bless our country,” Trillanes said.
Both Escudero and Trillanes will serve three more years in the Senate.
In the presidential race, Escudero’s running mate, Sen. Grace Poe, conceded to leading presidential candidate Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte Monday night (May 9).
Full story: Grace Poe concedes to Rodrigo Duterte
In separate statements, Trillanes and Sen. Gringo Honasan also acknowledged Duterte’s win.
“I assure the mayor and our countrymen that I will not be a hindrance to the reform initiatives he intends to push in our government. Having said that, I will continue with my advocacies as a legislator in our system of checks and balances,” said Trillanes, one of Duterte’s harshest critics.
Honasan offered “prayers and congratulations” to Duterte. “May Almighty God grant you the wisdom, courage, compassion, and vision to help heal unite and lead the Filipino People towards a brighter future for the sake of our most precious God-given next generation of citizens and leaders: our Children.”
Robredo leading VP race
Vice presidential aspirants Leni Robredo of the Liberal Party, who obtained 13.3 million votes, led her five other rivals. Following close behind her is independent candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. with 13.1 million votes.
Rodrigo’s running mate Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano was third placer with 5.4 million votes while Honasan was in sixth spot with more than 711,000 votes, according to the PPCRV count. The PPCRV is the citizen’s arm of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
LOOK: Presidential, VP candidates cast their votes
Escudero: We chose to fight
Escudero was an early favorite in the vice presidential race, as reflected in pre-election surveys. But his ratings faltered later on in the game. He said he and Poe chose to pursue their candidacies despite failing to lead in recent surveys.
Watch Town Hall: Poe – Escudero tandem
For now, Escudero said he wants to spend time with his family first, especially with his wife, actress Heart Evangelista.
“Utang ko sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa amin ni Sen. Grace na lumaban, ibigay ang lahat dahil hindi naman din siguro tama na tumigil ka sa kalagitnaan ng laban. Nalalaman naman naming mula’t mula pa na kulang kami sa resources at makinarya,” he said.
Also read: What happened behind the scenes at the VP debate
“Looking forward to quieter times at mas maraming panahon para sa pamilya at siguro yung matagal nang naudlot na honeymoon ay matutuloy na,” Escudero said, smiling.
[Translation: Looking forward to quieter times and more time with the family, and maybe the long-delayed honeymoon will finally happen.]
[Translation: I owe it to all who supported me and Sen. Grace to fight, give our all and I also think it’s not right to stop in the middle of the race. We knew from the very start that we lack resources and machinery.]
