Marikina City 2nd district Rep. Stella Quimbo lost the mayoral race to Rep. Marjorie Ann Teodoro of the 1st district, and it "hurts".
In her concession post on Facebook Tuesday afternoon, May 13, Quimbo said that she humbly accepted the poll result, despite it being an unexpected one.
"Ang tinig ng taumbayan ang siyang nangingibabaw. Hindi ito ang resulta na inaasahan natin at aaminin ko, masakit. Pero buong kababaang-loob naming tinatanggap ang pasya ng taumbayan kalakip ang buong paggalang sa ating democratic process," wrote the economist-solon.
(The voice of the people prevails. This was not the result we were expecting, and I admit—it hurts. But with humility, we accept the people's decision with full respect for our democratic process.)
"Pinatakbo natin ang kampanyang ito nang may katotohanan, integridad, at pagmamahal sa Marikina. At kahit hindi ito ang inaasam nating resulta, ang ating pinagsamahan, ang pag-asa, ang mga kwentuhan, ang kilusan para sa tunay na solusyon, ay hindi mawawala o masasayang," Quimbo said.
(We ran this campaign with truth, integrity, and love for Marikina. And even though this is not the result we had hoped for, what we built together—the hope, the conversations, the movement for real solutions—will not disappear or go to waste.)
She went on to thank her supporters and followers who gave their all during the campaign period. "Sa lahat ng volunteers, staff, at tagasuporta, maraming, maraming salamat (To all the volunteers, staff, and supporters, a heartfelt thank you)."
"Taos-puso rin ang pasasalamat ko sa bawat Marikenyong nagbukas ng pinto, tumanggap sa amin sa kanilang tahanan, nagbahagi ng kwento, at humamon sa amin na mas pagbutihin pa ang aming paglilingkod," she said.
(I extend my deepest gratitude to every Marikenyo who opened their doors, welcomed us into their homes, shared their stories, and challenged us to serve better.)
Despite the solemn tone of her post, the 2nd district congresswoman insisted that "this wasn't the end".
"Hindi dito nagtatapos ang lahat. Ang malasakit ay hindi natatapos sa halalan. Magpapatuloy ang laban para sa mas maayos na serbisyong pangkalusugan, trabaho, edukasyon, at pamahalaan, anumang posisyon o kakayahan ang ibigay sa atin upang maglingkod."
(This is not the end. Compassion does not stop at elections. The fight will continue for better healthcare, jobs, education, and governance, in whatever capacity we are given to serve.)