Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero talks to media in San Pedro, Laguna, during the recently concluded campaign. ARNOLD ALMACEN / POE-ESCUDERO MEDIA
SORSOGON, Philippines – Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Tuesday congratulated Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who is leading the presidential race as he aired support for Rep. Leni Robredo, who is locked in a tight race with Sen. Bongbong Marcos for the vice presidency.
Earlier, Escudero conceded defeat in the vice presidential race.
“Tinatanggap ko nang buong pagpapakumbaba ang resulta ng halalan,” he said at his Buhatan residence here.
The senator congratulated Duterte saying, “Binabati ko si Mayor Duterte sa kanyang panalo.”
Escudero then called on Filipinos to rally around one leader.
“Mas importanteng maghilom muli ang bansa, mag-unite sa iisang lider, binoto man o hindi, kung sino mang tatayong pangulo, gusto man nya sa atin o hindi.”
He then threw his support for Robredo, a fellow Bicolano.
“Sa dikitang laban sa ikalawang pangulo, binabati ko ang mananaig sa dulo, pero syempre, mas ninanais ko yung kababayan ko na yung mananalo,” he said.
Escudero also called for unity after the elections, hoping that there will be reconciliation after all the mudslinging during the campaign period.
“Hiling ko na sana sa unang araw na ito pagkatapos ng halalan, simulan na muli natin na paghilumin ang sugat at unti-unti nating pag-isahing muli ang bansang tila nagkawatak-watak nitong nagdaang 90 araw,” he said.
He appealed to all that the result of the voting be respected.
“Sana lahat tayo maging tulay, maging daan para sa pagkakaisa ng ating bansa at paggalang sa hatol at desisyon ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
Escudero, who ran with Sen. Grace Poe, also thanked their supporters.
“Nais ko ring pasalamatan ang lahat ng tumulong, sumuporta, nagtiwala, at naniwala sa amin ni Sen. Grace. Naging karangalan sa akin na makasama sila, makapiling sila sa laban na ito,” Escudero said.
“Nalalaman naman namin mula’t mula pa na kulang kami sa resources at makinarya pero sinikap pa rin namin na bigyan ng option at oportunidad ang ating mga kababayan na makapili at piliin kung sino ang gusto nila.”