Drilon doesn’t mind not topping the 1969 Bar anymore after ruling Senate race

After topping the senatorial race for the first time, Senate President Franklin Drilon said Thursday he no longer minds if he did not top the Bar exam in 1969. 

“I am now a topnotcher, even though I was only number three in the Bar exams, thanks to our people,” Drilon quipped.

A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law, Drilon ranked third in the 1969 Bar exams that was topped by his classmate, San Juan City Rep. Ronaldo Zamora.

Kidding aside, Drilon said winning an election is already an achievement, his fourth since entering politics in 1995. 

Drilon received the highest number of votes – 18,607,391 – according to the final national canvass report released by the Commission on Elections on Thursday.

“My intention was to win in order that I can continue to serve our people and influence the governance through policies which I believe will be beneficial for our country,” Drilon said in a statement.

“But our people had been very generous in their support for me and what better way to repay their trust than working harder to uplift their lives,” he added. 

Drilon also reiterated that talks about Senate leadership can wait as Congress' priority is to proclaim the new president and vice president in the coming weeks. 

"It's too early. Bigyan namin ng priority ang aming tungkulin bilang national canvassing board for president and vice president. Siguro after that, we will talk about the leadership of the Senate," he said. 

He also urged the public to pray for the country’s new leaders.

“We cannot predict what can happen in the next six years, that is why we need prayers and support in order that we can deliver and perform our mandates to serve the country and the Filipino people,” Drilon.  

Drilon said that among his priorities when the 17th Congress opens in July would be to pass a legislation that will institutionalize the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, increase the salaries of government employees, and improve the country’s investment climate. — RSJ, GMA News