Leni: Let’s accept final result, brace for bigger fight

When the final count comes in, Vice President Leni Robredo implored her supporters to accept the results and brace for the bigger fight ahead.

“Whatever the final result is, although we don’t have it yet, let’s accept it.  This is where we will draw our strength.  There are bigger fights, our fight does not end with this election,” Robredo said in Bicol language in her message to town mates in Naga City.

Robredo spoke after Tuesday’s mass officiated by Most Reverend Rolando Tria Tirona, Archbishop of Caceres, who told the churchgoers at the Metropolitan Cathedral and Parish of St. John the Evangelist not to be disheartened by the challenges they face.

“Si VP Leni ang naging halimbawa kung paano tayo tatayo sa bayan –may dignidad, may malinis na puso, may katotohanan sa isip, may kamay na handang yakapin mayaman man o mahirap,” Tirona said.

Robredo trails Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the partial, unofficial count of votes a day after the elections.

“The fight does not end with this elections because many have become enlightened. This is a fight for good governance.  Even if we don’t make it, I don’t consider it a loss because we have achieved so much in this campaign, such as the biggest rally we had in Naga,” she said.

“The silver lining perhaps is I will have more time to spend here, but as I’ve said, do not think our fight for good governance has come to an end,” she added.

Robredo assured her supporters that their camp will look into the alleged irregularities in a judicious manner.

“We can deal with this in a way that would cause division, or in a manner that would pave the way for effective change,” she said.

Robredo rallied the people to continue being vigilant whoever will sit at the helm of the next administration so that the welfare of the Filipinos will be assured.

Earlier, Robredo’s camp said it is mapping the best way forward a day after the May 9 polls.

"Marami sa atin malungkot. Iba galit. Ilan nawawalan ng pag-asa. Ramdam din namin yan. Ramdam namin kayo. We are trying to find the best path forward," Ibarra Gutierrez, Robredo’s spokesman, said.

"Pakiusap lang: konting pasensiya. We will release updates within the day. Kapit lang. Nandito kami," he added.

Robredo also said her camp is studying social media reports and allegations surrounding the vote count.—LDF, GMA News