Bam Aquino accepts defeat in senatorial race

Outgoing Senator Bam Aquino has accepted defeat in the 2019 senatorial race, a few hours before the scheduled proclamation of winning senatorial candidates in the May 13 polls.

In a statement, Aquino said it was a great honor for him to serve as a senator for six years, and thanked all those who supported him in his term as a legislator and during his campaign.

"Hindi man tayo pinalad na makakuha ng pangalawang termino, hindi mauubos ang pagmamahal ko sa ating mga kababayan at kagustuhang manilbihan sa kapwa, bagkus sa ibang larangan naman," he said.

"Bago pa man ang araw ng eleksyon, ipinaubaya ko na sa Diyos ang resulta. At buo pa rin ang tiwala ko sa Kanyang plano para sa akin at higit sa lahat, para sa ating Bayan."

With 14.1 million votes, Aquino, who ran under the banner of the Otso Diretso opposition coalition, ranked 14th in senatorial race in the final tally of the Commission of the Elections, sitting as National Board of Canvassers.

No senatorial candidate from opposition slate won in the 2019 elections. —Erwin Colcol/KBK, GMA News