Former Taguig mayor and congressman Lino Cayetano said he didn’t have any regrets running for congressman in the 1st District of Taguig-Pateros in the May 12 national and local elections.  

Lino Cayetano lost to incumbent Rep. Ricardo “Ading” Cruz Jr., who was backed by Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano under the Team Lani Cayetano (TLC).

“Taguig at Pateros—maraming, maraming salamat po sa pagmamahal (Taguig and Pateros—thank you very much for the love). We fought the  good fight,” he posted on Facebook on May 13 before the winning candidates were proclaimed. 

He said, “Wala tayong pagsisisi sa desisyon nating tumakbo bilang indepenent - sa gitna ng mabigat na laban na puno ng fake news,  paninira at black propaganda - na umandar sa bisa ng isang napaka lakas na makinarya - nanatili ang  sentro ng diskurso natin ang paghahanap ng solusyon sa mga totoong problema ng Taguig at Pateros, yan po ang mahalaga (We have no regrets about our decision to run as an independent - in the midst of a tough battle full of fake news, slander, and black propaganda - which operated under the influence of a very powerful machinery - the center of our discourse remained the search for solutions to the real problems of Taguig and Pateros, that is what is important).” 

Based on the official tally by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Taguig City Board of Canvassers, headed by Election Officer Edgar Feliciano Aringay, Cruz received 106,124 votes (46.52 percent) to win his reelection. 

Lino Cayetano placed second with 72,007 votes (31.57 percent) followed by Allan Cerafica with 46,184 votes (20.25 percent), Peter Dela Cruz with 2,287 votes (one percent), and Ricardo Opoc with 1,517 votes (0.67 percent). 

A total of 247,124 voters went to the polls out of 307,232 registered voters or a turnout of 80.44 percent. 

“Una sa lahat, taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa bawat isa sa inyo—sa mga nagtiwala, sumuporta, at lumaban hanggang dulo. Maraming salamat po sa inyong pagmamahal at paninindigan. Hindi ninyo ako iniwan (First of all, I sincerely thank each and every one of you—those who trusted, supported, and fought until the end. Thank you very much for your love and determination. You never left me),” he said. 

He added, “Mananalo at mahahal muli ang kandidato ni Kuya Sen. Alan at Mayor Lani na si Congressman Ading Cruz jr.  Binabati ko sila sa kanilang tagumpay. Nawa’y ito ang maging susi sa hinahanap ninyo na tunay na makakatulong sa inyo at sa mga plano ninyo sa Taguig at Pateros. Binabati ko din si Cong Ading at ang kanyang pamilya. Binabati ko din si Engineer Allan Cerafica at ang kanyang pamilya at supporters for a campaign well run (Kuya Sen. Alan and Mayor Lani's candidate, Congressman Ading Cruz jr., will win and will be reelected. I congratulate them on their victory. May this be the key to what you are looking for that will truly help you and your plans in Taguig and Pateros). 

“I also congratulate Cong Ading and his family. I also congratulate Engineer Allan Cerafica and his family and supporters for a campaign well run,” said Lino Cayetano, who is also a director. 

“Nilatag natin ang ating vision para sa bayan ng Taguig at Pateros, mga prioridad, plataporma at programa - importante na naging malinaw ang pagpipiliaan at basehan ng mga desisyon ninyo.  Narinig ko po kayo at pagpapakumbaba kong tinatanggap ang desisyon ng ating mga kababayan (We have laid out our vision for the people of Taguig and Pateros, priorities, platforms and programs - it was important that the choices and basis for your decisions were clear. I have heard you and I humbly accept the decision of our countrymen),” he said. 

Lino Cayetano also congratulated his sister-in-law, Lani, Taguig Vice Mayor Arvin Alit, Pateros Mayor-elect Gerald German and Pateros Vice Mayor Carlo Santos for their win. 

“Elections are a time of hope and inspiration May God guide and bless our newly elected leaders in Taguig , Pateros and across the Country.   - lets rally behind them, suportahan natin sila sa lahat ng gagawin nilang tama (Let's support them in everything they do right),” he said.