The Philippine Online Chronicles

Congress has not convened yet for the national canvassing of the presidential and vice presidential elections, but presidential candidates Senator Richard Gordon of Bagumbayan, Councilor John Carlos De Los Reyes of Ang Kapatiran, and Gilbert Teodoro of Lakas-Kampi have all conceded defeat.

In a DZMM interview earlier today, De Los Reyes cited the low number of votes he received as the reason for his withdrawal. “I concede based on the votes I got but I am not conceding from the crusade of advocating change and morality in this country,” he announced.

He also congratulated current leader Senator Noynoy Aquino of the Liberal Party for “winning” the presidency. However, De Los Reyes challenged Aquino to put an end to the dominance of what he described as the “ruling class.”

“Hangga't namumuno ang naghaharing uri, hindi mawawala ang kahirapan. Kailangang ipatupad ang Konstitusyon kung saan ipinagbabawal ang mga political dynasties. (Poverty will not be eradicated if the ruling class will continue to rule. The Constitutional provision banning political dynasties must be implemented),” De Los Reyes, an advocate of “alternative politics,” said.

Gordon concedes

Meanwhile, the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) reported via social networking site Twitter that Gordon has also conceded.

“Gordon concedes, asks volunteers to rally behind Aquino, congratulates teachers,” PDI reporter Edson Tandoc wrote on Twitter.

In an ANC report, Gordon was quoted saying that he had run an “honest and straightforward” campaign and that he is “thankful” that the automated election was a success. Gordon authored the Automated Elections Law (Republic Act 9369).

Private citizen

Teodoro also announced his withdrawal from the presidential race in a press conference earlier today, according to ANC. "I am still happy with the results of the elections because Lakas-Kampi has still maintained its hold as being the dominant majority party in terms of most seats won in the elections." Teodoro said.

"I'll go back to being a private citizen," he further announced.

Gordon is currently fifth in the presidential race with 400 thousand votes while De Los Reyes is dead last with 35 thousand votes. Teodoro meanwhile is in fourth place with around three million votes.

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Gilbert Teodoro concedes (TheABSCBNNews)

Hail Binay

Moreover, ABS-CBN announced on their Twitter account that Nationalist People Coalition's Senator Loren Legarda and Bangon Pilipinas' Perfecto Yasay have "conceded” in the vice-presidential race. Legarda's running-mate Senator Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party has likewise conceded in the presidential race.

Legarda and Yasay are currently in third and sixth place respectively in the partial and unofficial counts. Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino is currently in the lead.