MANILA, Philippines — Veteran election lawyer Romy Macalintal — who ran under the Otso Diretso slate — accepted defeat in the Senate race Tuesday, as his fellow opposition bets struggle to enter the Magic 12.
With 93% of election returns counted, Macalintal ranked 26th as of 7:40 a.m. with 3.8 million votes, making him among the first senatorial candidates to concede defeat.
Related Stories
“From the results coming from all the clustered precincts, it is clear that a great majority of our voters have chosen other candidates. And I respect their decision as I concede defeat in this senatorial race,” Macalintal said in a statement.
“I sincerely congratulate all the winners who were so fortunate to get the trust and confidence of the people to serve for six years as their Senators,” he added.
The lawyer represents Liberal Party stalwart and Vice President Leni Robredo in the electoral protest filed by defeated vice presidential candidate and former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. The Presidential Electoral Tribunal is conducting a ballot recount on Marcos' selected pilot provinces.
Macalintal earlier said he would push for the rights of senior citizens and persons with disabilities if elected senator. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral
RESULTS: The Senatorial Race