Cagayan de Oro representative concedes defeat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—With more than 80 percent of the votes tallied in the city’s mayoral race on Monday night, Rufus Rodriguez conceded defeat to the incumbent, Oscar Moreno.

“I concede to you as the clear winner for mayor! Congratulations Mayor Oca! Rufus,” read a text message sent by Rodriguez, a second district representative, to Moreno and reporters.

Rodriguez, national president of the Centrist Democratic Party (CDP), ran against Moreno, a Liberal Party candidate, and former mayor Vicente Emano, founder and chair of Padayon Pilipino, a local party affiliated with the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

As of 10:06 p.m. Monday, Moreno led with 83,447 votes, followed by Emano with 69,757 and Rodriguez, 54,844. The city has a total voting population of 305,321.

Moreno’s running mate, Raineir Joaquin Uy, topped the vice mayoral race with 80,140 votes. He was followed by Caesar Ian Acenas of UNA with 73,683 and Roger Abaday (CPD), 37,773. Jigger Jerusalem, Inquirer Mindanao