SORSOGON, Philippines – Whatever the result of the elections are, independent vice presidential candidate Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero can take solace on the fact that he did all he could to convince the voters to go for him.
“Sapat ang latag namin. Ginawa namin lahat para matiyak na magiging malinis at mapayapa ang halalan.
Sana katulong namin ang lahat para natiyak na magiging malinis at kapanipaniwala ang eleksyon,” he said on Monday, moments after voting at Buhatan Integrated National School here.
(What we did was enough. We did all we could to make sure that the elections will be clean and peaceful.
Hopefully, we’re all allies in making sure that the elections are clean and credible.)
READ: Chiz, Heart are early birds in school with only 3 precincts
Escudero also urged his fellow candidates to respect the election turnout, regardless if they win or lose.
“Anumang husga ng ating mga kababayan, marapat na tanggapin lahat kaming mga kumakandidato dahil sa isang demokrasya, sundin natin lahat ang kagustuhan ng nakararami,” he said. “Alalahanin lang natin na sa araw na ito, tunay lang na nagkakapantay-pantay tayo. Galangin natin yung araw, at gamitin natin ang kapangyarihan at karapatan na piliin natin ang susunod nating maihahalal.”
(Whatever the decision is of our compatriots, all of us candidates should accept it because in a democracy, we have to follow the will of the masses. We should remember that on this day, we are all equals. We should respect the day and use the power and the right to choose who we elect.)
When pressed for his prayer on the ongoing elections, Escudero could only say, “Thy will be done.”
His wife Heart Evangelista echoed him, saying, “At the end of the day, whatever God gives, we’ll be happy, really, truly and sincerely.” CDG
EARLY BIRDS Vice Presidentiable candidate Senator Chiz Escudero with his wife Heart Evangelista-Escudero vote for the 2016 National and Local Election early in the morning at Buhatan Elementary School, Sorsogon province on May 9, 2016, Monday. MARK ALVIC ESPLANA / INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON.