DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 15 May) – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte was overwhelmed with the kind of support that the Dabawenyo voters had shown for the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP)-backed senatorial candidates and admitted that she was humbled and cried upon knowing that the city delivered a 12-0 vote.
“I am humbled as I bow. I am not a person who cries easily but when it was definite that Davao City delivered a 12-0 vote for Senators of HNP, the tears flowed and the sobbing followed,” the presidential daughter, who was re-elected for another three-year term as mayor, posted on her Instagram account with a photo showing her kneeling before the altar of the Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Dauis, Bohol.
The mayor quoted Luke 12:48 from the Bible: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.”
“Sa tanan kalisod, baha, bagyo ug kani nga election sa senador wala gyud ko ninyo gibiyaan. Gahilak ko nagsulat ani, salamat sa inyo (Amid the challenges, flood, typhoon, and now this election for senators, you did not leave me behind. I am crying while I write this. Thank you),” she said.
Duterte said the overwhelming victory was the first in the city’s history.
“I have said that I feel alone everyday stressing over making sure Davao City is ok but when I need am in distress, Dabawenyos carry me on their backs,” she said, telling her supporters that “I promise to work harder until I break. I love you all.”
Former Special Assistant to the President and now Senator-elect Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go obtained the highest number of votes in Davao City among the senatorial candidates.
Based on the final unofficial results published in ABS-CBN’s Halalan 2019 website, Go garnered 533,550 votes or 83.92% of the 635,806 voters of the city’s three congressional districts.
Former Philippine National Police director Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa came second highest with 518,778 votes; comebacking Senator Pia Cayetano, 448,599; reelectionist Cynthia Villar, 445,757; former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Francis Tolentino, 400,297; reelectionist Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, 384,773; incumbent Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, 367,008; reelectionist JV Ejercito, 322,773; reelectionist Koko Pimentel, 297,452; Dong Mangudadatu, 297,338; comebacking Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., 239,899; and Jinggoy Estrada, 225,217.
Atty. Krisna Samantha Caballero, city election officer and BOC chairman, said the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) reported a voters’ turnout 64.57%, although lower from their target of 70% to 80%.
“It’s still an ample number of voters,” she said.
Caballero reminded the politicians to submit their statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) on or before June 12 regardless if they have won, lost, or withdrawn their candidacies.
She added that the COMELEC in Davao Region had also documented violations to the election rules committed by local politicians.
“It is documented. It will be acted upon,” she said, adding that it would not be easy because some of the complainants would later withdraw complaints before they would even progress. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
