Vice President Jejomar Binay late Monday refused to concede before midnight, and instead sought support from his brothers in his fraternity Alpha Phi Omega (Apo).
Binay went down from his closed-door meeting in New Horizon Hotel shortly before midnight to share a heartfelt moment with his brods, who sang to him a song of brotherhood of the fraternity.
Binay held hands with his fraternity brothers while they sang:
“Brothers clasp the hands of Brothers, strong the circle we. Ever mindful, ever serving all humanity. Now we raise our grateful voices in our song to thee: Men of Alpha Phi Omega, may we always be.”
Binay’s brothers then chanted, “Binay! Binay! Binay!”
Some of his brods were teary-eyed after the heartfelt moment.
Binay refused interviews with the media, only to say that he wished to go home and rest.
He was accompanied by his son, dismissed Makati mayor Junjun Binay and daughter senator Nancy before proceeding to his vehicle.
In an interview with reporters, United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) President Toby Tiangco refused to elaborate on the vice president’s statement that the latter would respect the outcome of the elections.
Binay in a statement said: “I have repeatedly called for respecting institutions and the democratic process. Once the process is completed, we should always respect the outcome. We should all move towards healing and unity for our divided land.”
READ: Binay: Let’s respect the results of the elections
Tiangco refused to clarify whether or not Binay’s statement meant he is not conceding from the race.
“It was a good campaign. Alam kong nahirapan ang karamihan. Okay lang. Dapat naman natin ipaglaban ang kapakanan ng mga mahihirap nating kababayan. It’s all worth it,” Tiangco said instead.
(I know many had a hard time. It’s OK. We should fight for the right our poorest fellowmen.) TVJ
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