‘My gratitude can’t wait’: Bongbong Marcos delivers ‘address to the nation’ after runaway lead in polls

MANILA, Philippines — Less than three hours since the release of the initial results of the presidential elections, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. delivered his “address to the nation,” urging his supporters to continue trusting him.

While acknowledging that the vote count for the presidential race is not yet final, Marcos Jr. said his gratitude towards those who supported him “cannot wait.”

“Kagaya ng aking sinabi, hindi pa tapos ang bilang. Marami na ang nagsasabi na tapos na pero hindi pa talaga kaya antayin natin hanggang maliwanag na maliwanag, mag-100 percent ang pagbilang,” Marcos Jr. said in a speech delivered at his headquarters in Mandaluyong City late Monday night.

(Like what I said, the counting is not yet over. A lot of people are saying it’s done but really it’s not. So let’s wait until it’s very clear, until the results are at 100 percent.)

“Ngunit kahit hindi pa tapos nga ang pagbilang, hindi makapag-antay ang aking pasasalamat sa inyong lahat—ang aking pasasalamat sa lahat ng tumulong, sa lahat ng sumapi sa aming ipinaglaban, sa inyong sakripisyo, sa inyong trabaho at sa binigay ninyo sa amin na oras, na kakayahan,” he added.

(But even if the counting isn’t over yet, my gratitude to all of you cannot wait—my gratitude for everyone who helped, for everyone who joined our fight, for your sacrifices, for your work that you gave to us, time, and skills.)

Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Screengrab from Bongbong Marcos Facebook page

As of 8:02 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, partial and unofficial results from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) show Marcos Jr. leading the presidential race with 30,505,036 votes.

In distant second place is Vice President Leni Robredo who garnered 14,539,334 votes. They are followed by Senator Manny Pacquiao (3,511,608 votes), Manila City mayor Isko Moreno (1,854,653 votes), and Senator Ping Lacson (869,864 votes).

“Any endeavor as large as this, does not involve one person. It involved very very many people, working in very very many different ways,” Marcos Jr. said.

“And to all of them, I thank you. Let us keep watch on the vote, kung tayo’y palarin, aasahan ko na ang inyong tulong ay di magsawa, ang inyong tiwala ay di magsawa dahil marami tayong gagawin dito sa ating hinaharap,” he added.

(And to all of them, I thank you. Let us keep watch on the vote. If we are elected, I hope the you will not get tired of helping, that your trust will not fade because we have a lot to do for our future.)

In the same speech, Marcos Jr. said that the support he gained from the public is the most important thing he gained from the presidential campaign.

“Bukod pa doon ay magpapasalamat ako sa mga kababayan ko na nandiyan sila at nagsuporta sila hindi lamang sa mga kandidato, hindi lamang sa aming partido kung hindi sa magandang bukas ng ating minamahal na Pilipinas,” Marcos Jr. said.

(I thank my countrymen who were there and supported not just the candidates and the whole party but supported our push for a better tomorrow for our beloved Philippines.)

“Yan sa akin ang pinakamahalaga na aking makukuha dito sa kampanyang ito kaya’t ako’y nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat,” he added.

(That is the most important takeaway of mine in this campaign.)

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