Senator Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday evening officially conceded his presidential bid to election frontrunner Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.
Pacquiao placed third in the partial and unofficial tally for the 2022 election with over 3.6 million voters as of Wednesday morning. However, this is not enough to keep up with Marcos Jr., who has over 31 million votes, and Vice President Leni Robredo, who has over 14.8 million votes.
"The people have spoken. Tapos na ang halalan kaya't bigyan naman natin ng pagkakataon ang pagkakaisa para sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran ng ating bansa," said Pacquiao in a video message.
(The people have spoken. The elections are over so let’s give unity a chance in order for the country to achieve peace and progress.)
"Bilang isang boxer at atleta, marunong akong tumanggap ng pagkatalo. Sana lang kahit talo ako sa laban na ito, panalo pa rin ang mga kapwa ko Pilipino," he added.
(As a boxer and an athlete, I know how to accept defeat. And I hope even if I lost in this fight, my fellow Filipinos will still win.)
In his message, the senator also sent a message to Marcos Jr. that he would pray for his administration's success.
"Sa ating susunod na Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, ako ay nananalangin para sa tagumpay ng iyong administrasyon na maraming mga mahihirap ang maiangat ang buhay at matulungan," he said.
(To our next President Bongbong Marcos, I pray for the success of your administration that it would help and uplift a lot of poor Filipinos’ lives.)
Pacquiao, who is an outgoing senator, said that he will now use his time to rest and give more time to his family.
He assured, however, that he would continue helping Filipinos.
"Sa ngayon ay gagamitin ko ang pagkakataon upang magpahinga at mabigyan ng mas mahabang oras ang aking pamilya," he said.
(For now, I will use the chance to rest and give more time to my family.)
"I will definitely continue my mission to help our people through the Manny Pacquiao Foundation. Hinding-hindi ko tatalikuran ang pagse-serbisyo para sa bayan at para sa mga kasama kong mahirap."
(I will definitely continue my mission to help our people through the Manny Pacquiao Foundation. I will never turn my back on serving the country and poor Filipinos.)
