Senators Francis Tolentino and Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. on Wednesday, May 14 conceded their defeat in the senatorial race during the May 12 midterm elections, thanking their supporters and called for unity despite their loss. 

Both Tolentino and Revilla ran under the Bagong Alyansa senatorial slate of the Marcos administration.

“Nahirapan po tayong ipaliwanag ang mga issues kahit nag-iisa na lang po akong nagpapaliwanag patungkol sa West Philippine Sea (WPS) (We had difficulty explaining issues to the people even though I was the only one left explaining our stand on the WPS),” Tolentino said in a video message which was shot at the Jose Rizal Monument in Luneta Park. 

Nevertheless, he thanked President Marcos, his family and colleagues for supporting his reelection bid. 

But he hoped that the next Congress would continue the fight and effort to uphold the country’s sovereignty especially against powerful countries like China.

“Sana po sa mga darating na araw ay ipakita po natin at lalo po nating maigting na pakikipaglaban para sa iisang Pilipinas (I hope that in the next few days we can show this and further strengthen our fight for our Philippines),” Tolentino stressed.

“Gusto po nating makita na hindi maagaw ang ating teritoryo kahit isang malaking bansa at tinutukoy ko po dito ay isang malaking bansa katulad ng China (We want to see that none of our territories would be seized by any other bigger country, and I am referring to powerful nation like China),” he said.

Tolentino also saluted and thanked members of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard for their efforts to protect the West Philippine Sea and other maritime assets of the country.

Revilla also thanked his supporters for the opportunity to serve.

“Ang paglilingkod ay isang pribilehiyo mula sa inyo at sa Panginoon, at atin laging pinapa-sa-Diyos ang ating tinatahak (Public service is a privilege that comes from you and from the Lord, and we just surrender to God all our plans),” Revilla said.

“Nawa, ngayong tapos na ang panahong ito, makita natin sa ating mga sarili na muling magkaisa sa ilalim ng iisa nating bandila (Hopefully, now that this period is over, I hope to see all of us united under our only flag),” he further said.

Cynthia Villar also concedes defeat

Sen. Cynthia Villar, who lost her congressional bid for Las Piñas City, also accepted her defeat and thanked her supporters. 

“Maraming salamat, Las Piñas (Thank you very much, Las Piñas)!” Villar said in her Facebook post.

“Bagamat hindi tayo pinalad sa halalan, taos-puso ang aking pasasalamat sa inyong suporta at tiwala (Even if we failed to win the elections, I sincerely thank you for your support and trust),” she said.

Nevertheless, Villar said her public service will continue despite her defeat.

“Ang paglilingkod sa inyo ay hindi dito nagtatapos. Patuloy akong magsusulong ng mga programa at adbokasiyang makatutulong sa ating bayan (My service to the public does not end here. I will continue to pursue programs and advocacies that will greatly help our nation),” she said.