Sen Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA
MANILA, Philippines – The fight does not end with the elections, opposition leader Senator Francis Pangilinan said Tuesday.
Until the last ballot is counted, Pangilinan said they would continue to hope that one or two opposition senatorial bets would make it to the Magic 12.
Pangilinan is president of the Liberal Party and campaign manager of the opposition’s senatorial ticket.
“Patuloy natin hinihiling sa COMELEC (Commission on Elections) na magpaliwanag sa sunod sunod na aberya sa botohan at bilangan na naging sanhi ng pangamba at pagdududa sa resulta ng halalan. Hindi dapat mangyari ulit ang ganitong palakad sa halalan,” the senator said in his social media accounts.
He was referring to the technical glitches reported on Election Day and even during the canvassing.
No opposition candidates have made it to the top 12 in the senatorial race based on the unofficial tally of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).
But Pangilinan noted that 7 percent or about 3 million votes are not counted yet in the PPCRV’s tally.
“Hihintayin natin ang huling resulta at mananatiling nakabantay,” he said.
“Baka sakaling sa nasabing nalalabing pitong porsyento ay maipanalo pa ng isa o dalawa nating mga kandidato ang kanilang kandidatura. Mananatili tayong mapagbantay hanggang sa dulo,” he added.
And to supporters asking what will happen next, Pangilinan said the fight would not end with the elections.
He said the fight would continue on issues against China’s illegal intrusion into the country’s territory, alleged extrajudicial killings, illegal drugs, and the fight for a decent pay and more job opportunities for all Filipinos.
“Dahil dito kinakailangan natin palakasin pa ang ating hanay, tibayan pa ating dibdib at tapang upang harapin ang darating na mga pagsubok,” said the senator.
Even without the assurance of winning, Pangilinan said the opposition participated in the elections because of their principles.
“Tumaya tayo at kumilos hindi dahil sa katiyakan ng panalo kundi dahil sa katiyakan ng ating paniniwala at panininidigan,” he said.
“Kaya anuman ang magiging resulta ng halalan, tuloy pa rin ang pagsulong ng ating panininidigan at paniniwala. Tuloy pa rin ang laban para sa katarungan, para sa kasarinlan at sa mas maunlad na bukas para sa ating mga kababayan. Tuloy ang laban!” (Editor: Cenon B. Bibe Jr.)