Manila, Philippines– ‘From nobody to somebody’ this is how senatorial candidate and ‘Otso Diretso’ bet Samira Gutoc describes her race to the Senate journey.
In a press briefing at the Liberal Party Headquarters, Gutoc together with Erin Tañada thanked their supporters.
“There’s a universe of possibility for us. Wala kaming name recall hindi kami dynasty, hindi kami kasama sa malalaking artista. It’s the youth that gave us the confidence na yung what matters is yung principle.” Gutoc said.
Tañada, on the other hand, said young people have inspired them to push through with the fight.
“Yung mga pangarap hindi naman makukuha agad. Ang importante ay kung anong gagawin kapag ikaw ay bumagsak o natitisod” Tañada said.
Gutoc and other opposition candidates consistently topped university mock polls compared to traditional surveys like Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations or SWS.
But their high rankings with millennial voters wasn’t enough to make them win.
“They never gave up hope on us and we never gave up hope. Kahit ang liit ng resources minsan isang araw wala kaming gastos and so it’s the youth who propelled us. Sila ang nagbigay sa amin ng top 12 feeling” Gutoc explained.
Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal was the first to concede in the senatorial race.
Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay thanked supporters for their stories and generosity.
Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano calls the senatorial race a good fight.
Only Senator Bam Aquino and Former Senator Mar Roxas are close enough to the winning circle.
In a separate press conference, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno asked his supporters not to be sad because they did well.
He also vowed to continue the fight and not close any doors on future political plans.
For now the ‘woke lolo’ says he will get some rest and focus on his legal assistance work.
