Vice president and presidential candidate Leni Robredo has acknowledged the lead of frontrunner Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the unofficial count of the May 9 elections, but hasn’t conceded defeat, contrary to what a post in a Facebook page reported.
In her speech early morning of May 10, Robredo also thanked her supporters for their support throughout her campaign.
However, a May 10 Facebook post from Palawan Star, which has over 118,000 followers, said Robredo has conceded the presidential race to Marcos.
The post reads:
Kanina ang nag-concede na si Leni Robredo at tinanggap na nito ang kaniyang pagkatalo kay BBM ngayong #halalan2022, habang nagpasalamat naman kapwa si BBM at Sara sa kanilang mga taga suporta (Earlier, Leni Robredo conceded and accepted her defeat to BBM this #halalan2022, while both BBM and Sara thanked their supporters).
As Marcos' lead in the presidential race grew, Robredo addressed her supporters but did not say she was conceding defeat to her rival.
She said at 0:52 mark:
Alam kong hindi madaling tanggapin sa inyo ang mga numerong lumalabas sa quick count. Hindi lang panghihinayang, kundi malinaw na pagkadismaya ang nararamdaman ng ating hanay (I know it is not easy for you to accept the numbers that come up in the quick count. Not only regret, but obvious frustration is what our party feels).
She added:
Wala akong planong abandonahin ang mga bagay na habambuhay ko nang ipinaglalaban. Tuloy ang trabaho ko para iangat ang buhay ng mga nasa laylayan. Tinatawag ko kayong samahan ako dito, at sa iba pang mga laban (I have no intention of giving up the causes for which I have fought my entire life. I will continue to fight to improve the lives of people who are marginalized. I implore you to join me in this and other fights).
In a May 10 statement, Robredo referred to the accusations and claims circulating on social media such as the poll irregularities.
She mentioned:
Mulat ako sa mga tanong na nananatiling nakalimbitin sa situwasyon. Sinisimulan na namin ang pagkausap sa mga eksperto upang maaral nang husto ang mga ulat at alegasyon na nababasa natin sa social media. Agad naming ibabahagi ang anumang resulta ng pag-aaral (I am aware of the unanswered questions in this circumstance. We've already begun speaking with professionals in order to fully exploit the accusations and charges we've seen on social media. Any study findings will be shared as soon as possible).
As of writing, the post, which was posted at 8 a.m., has garnered 2,400 likes, 176 comments and 545 shares. (HM)