Duterte: There’s sense of hope and optimism as Filipinos elect new leaders

MANILA, Philippines — Outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said there is a “sense of hope and optimism” now that the Filipino people have elected a new set of leaders.

In a taped briefing, Duterte pointed out that the frontrunners in pre-election surveys seem to be the winners of the 2022 polls.

“There’s a sense of hope and optimism that we have elected a set of leaders of the country, maybe kung ano ‘yung lumabas sa surveys, ‘yun din talaga,” he said.

(Those who emerged in the surveys appear to be the winners.)

The President lauded the swift conduct of the 2022 polls due to the automated system, saying this generation is “very lucky,” since electronics have allowed for the votes to be counted quickly.

“I think our generation is very lucky, we are in a situation where the electronics ruled today and we have an election that was madali ‘yung counting, and the transmission of everything that is needed to complete the election process is almost over,” he said.

Duterte said he will wait for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to proclaim winning candidates before he congratulates them as the country’s new set of leaders.

The Comelec has already proclaimed some local leaders but is yet to proclaim national candidates such as senators, party-list representatives and the vice president and president.

Based on the Comelec’s transparency server, which reflects 98.35% of election returns, presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is poised to be the next president with over 31.1 million votes.

Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is also set to be the next vice president with over 31.5 million votes.

gsg