Mike Defensor concedes in Senate race

Team Unity senatorial candidate Michael Defensor has conceded that he won't make it to the Senate's 12 available slots, radio station dzBB reported Wednesday. The administration bet ranked 15th, 876,660 votes away from the 12th spot, in the Commission on Elections partial official tally as of end-Wednesday. DzBB reported that Defensor said his camp's own count showed that he would end up only at 13th to 15th in the Senate race. Twelve of 24 Senate seats are at stake in the elections. The former Presidential Chief of Staff said he did not believe his closeness to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who made him part of her Cabinet since assuming power in 2001, contributed to his defeat. He also served as housing secretary and later environment secretary under Mrs Arroyo. He was a two-term Quezon City Representative who became known as part of the "Spice Boys", a small group of young lawmakers who were critical of former President Joseph Estrada. Earlier in the day, Makati Mayor and opposition leader Jejomar Binay called on Defensor and other administration candidates just outside the "Magic 12" to concede defeat in the senatorial race. In the Comelec's partial official tally, only two TU candidates – Edgarda Angara at 7th and Joker Arroyo at 8th – have so far made it in the top 12, along with two other independent bets – Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan at 5th and Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan at 10th. The Genuine Opposition continues to dominate the senatorial race with eight candidates in the top 12, including: Loren Legarda, 1st; Francis "Chiz" Escudero, 2nd; Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, 3rd; Manuel Villar Jr, 4th; Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, 6th; Alan Peter Cayetano, 9th; Antonio Trillanes IV, 11th; and, Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, 12th. Two TU candidates – Juan Miguel Zubiri at 13th and Ralph Recto at 14th – are still vying to make it to the Senate top 12. Senators serve six-year terms. -GMANews.TV