“Dirty Harry” has finally admitted defeat to “Asiong Salonga.”
Reading from a prepared statement on Wednesday during a press conference, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim said he recognized former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada’s victory in the race for the city’s top post.
“We respect and acknowledge the said proclamation and wish them all the best,” Lim told reporters.
He thanked his relatives, friends and Manileños “for their support, trust and confidence in us” before ending his statement with: “Thank you and God bless us all.”
Lim immediately left the conference hall after reading his short statement and did not entertain questions from reporters.
Meanwhile, his running mate, Lou Veloso, echoed Lim’s statement and added “May God be with you, Erap and Isko.”
Isko Moreno is the screen name of Vice Mayor Francisco Domagoso, Estrada’s running mate.
At the same time, Veloso challenged Estrada and Domagoso to fulfill the promises they made during the campaign period.
Based on the results of the tally made by the city board of canvassers, the former president received 343,993 votes compared to 308,544 for Lim.
Domagoso, on the other hand, got 395,156 votes against Veloso’s 234,256 votes.
The two were subsequently proclaimed the winners on Tuesday, a day after the elections.
Lim’s chief of staff Ric de Guzman said in a separate interview that the mayor would continue to perform his duties until he officially turns over the post to Estrada. With a report from Tessa Distor