Senator Richard Gordon on Tuesday, May 10 conceded his defeat in the senatorial race in this year’s elections, saying he will forever desire victory and unity for the Philippines.

“The people have spoken, and I bow to their will. I congratulate those who have won and wish them success in the enormous task that lies ahead,” Gordon said in a statement.

“I will forever desire victory and unity for our country and I pray that the Lord guide all our newly-elected leaders as they endeavor to move our nation forward,” he further said.

In his statement, Gordon, who sought to be reelected to the Senate, also thanked his supporters and all those who worked and fought with him over the last several months of the campaign.

“To those who believed and stood with me to the end, I am deeply grateful,” he said.

“In the last 53 years, it has been my honor to serve our people whether I have been in position or not. The title does not matter as much as the heart we have for this great nation,” added the senator.

“So we move forward today with courage, our heads held high, with no regrets, and even more committed to bring peace, prosperity, upliftment, and dignity to the life of every Filipino,”

“We look to the Lord to always give us the strength and commitment to do so,” Gordon said.

During the campaign period, Gordon, chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee had been at odds with President Duterte following his investigation into the government’s questionable use of Covid-19 funds and transactions with Pharmally Pharmaceutical company.

He also held Duterte accountable for “betraying the public’s trust” in the panel’s draft report on the Pharmally deal.

Partial and unofficial counts from the Commission on Election’s (Comelec) Transparency Server show Gordon ranking 22 in the race for the “Magic 12.”