MANILA, Philippines — Senator Richard Gordon on Tuesday conceded his 2022 reelection bid after ranking dismally in the partial and unofficial count of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Based on the Comelec’s transparency server, which reflects 98.05% of election returns, Gordon placed 22nd among preferred senatorial candidates with only over 8.2 million votes.
“The people have spoken, and I bow to their will. I congratulate those who have won and wish them success in the enormous task that lies ahead,” he said in a statement.
“I will forever desire victory and unity for our country and I pray that the Lord guide all our newly elected leaders as they endeavor to move our nation forward,” Gordon added.
The outgoing senator thanked those who supported him in his bid and believed in him, saying he is “deeply grateful.”
“In the last 53 years, it has been my honor to serve our people whether I have been in position or not. The title does not matter as much as the heart we have for this great nation,” he said.
“So we move forward today with courage, our heads held high, with no regrets, and even more committed to bring peace, prosperity, upliftment, and dignity to the life of every Filipino. We look to the Lord to always give us the strength and commitment to do so,” the senator added.
Gordon ran under the senatorial slate of presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo, who placed second behind her opponent Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the presidential derby.
READ: Duterte to ask Ombudsman to probe Gordon for malversation
During the 90-campaign period and even spanning to the previous year, Gordon, chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, had been receiving flak from no less than President Rodrigo Duterte following his investigation into the government’s questionable use of COVID-19 funds and transactions with Pharmally Pharmaceutical company.
He also held Duterte accountable for “betraying the public’s trust” in the panel’s draft report on the Pharmally deal.
READ: Senate panel: Pharmally, gov’t execs in ‘grand conspiracy’