Basilan mayor Akbar concedes to Hataman

“I am offering my hands to peace. I didn’t win, the people of Isabela won in this election and they will lead me to better the Isabela City,” says Sitti Djalia Turabin Hataman after mayoralty bet Cherrylyn Akbar concedes on Tuesday. Julie Alipala / INQUIRER MINDANAO

ISABELA CITY, BASILAN — Incumbent city vice mayor Cherrylyn Akbar here conceded to her opponent candidate, Sitti Djalia Turabin Hataman, who was leading the race for mayor, according to partial and unofficial election count Tuesday morning.

Posted on her Facebook wall, Akbar congratulated Hataman and expressed her thanks to those who supported her.

“For the love of Isabela City, I concede to your victory. I offer my hand for peace, healing, and unity,” Akbar said.

She also described briefly how she and Hataman competed against each other and that the learning experience (from that competition was) something she valued.

“Thank you for the challenging opportunity of facing you in this election. I have very high hope that you will be able to lead our city to a greater level of development and prosperity, but most of all,  be able to unite the people towards solidarity and peace,” Akbar said.

“The election is over and the people have chosen. As a good warrior and a leader, I accept my defeat with humility and courage,” Akbar added.

Partial and unofficial canvassed results as of 1:14 a.m. on May 14 showed that Akbar, who ran under PDP-Laban, garnered 13,408 votes against Hataman’s 19,262 votes.

In a short message which she also posted on her Facebook page, Hataman accepted Akbar’s statement.

“In an exercise of democracy, it is the people who either win or lose with the choices they make,” she said. “I accepted the call to join this exercise as a choice for the people and never as an opponent to anyone. I repeatedly emphasized, it was not a race between us, between our families, or between our supporters, but a right and responsibility the people must fulfill.”

“On behalf of the people of Isabela, I humbly accept your concession and offer, too, in return, our hand in peace,” she said.

Hataman assured the public she would be working closely with the people of Isabela City.

“We will build on the gains of the current (administration). With full trust in God’s guidance, we shall strive to make this beloved city of ours a living symbol of peace and progress, and our people, living proof of an empowered, united and responsive citizenry,” she said. (Editor: Leti Boniol)