Duterte congratulates winners, thanks unsuccessful bets in Eleksyon 2022

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday extended his congratulations to candidates elected in the 2022 national and local elections.

“I am hopeful that he will serve the Filipino people with all your heart and ability and prioritize the welfare of the general public above everything,” Duterte said in his regular Talk to the People.

Meanwhile, Duterte thanked those who failed to secure seats for their participation in the elections, and the Filipino people for making the elections successful.

“You may not have won this time but I hope that you will continue to serve our people in your capacity as leaders in your respective sectors and communities,” he told the unsuccessful candidates.

“More importantly, I thank and congratulate the Filipino people. You made the elections successful because you have made your will known by performing your sacred right and duty to vote,” he added.

Duterte also urged the public to unite under the incoming administration.

“By noon of June 30, I invite the public to join me in running behind our new elected leaders so we can continue the difficult but rewarding task of building a stronger and more progressive nation,” he said.

Comelec probe

Duterte also urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to probe allegations of election fraud following reports of malfunctioning vote-counting machines.

Though he believes that no cheating occurred, Duterte said an investigation will erase the doubts of the public.

“Ito namang ano, glitches. Sabi nila mga sira na hindi nag basa ng vote. I hope the Comelec would also find time to investigate just to, well, disabuse the minds of those na may dayaan,” he said.

(Regarding these glitches, they say that there were votes that were not read. I hope the Comelec will find the time to investigate just to disabuse the mind of those who think that there was cheating.)

“Wala ako nakita sa totoo lang at hindi din talaga ako papayag ng dayaan, pero ganon pa man, just to satisfy the doubts of the few of them, para maimbestigahan at yung result ibigay sa tao,” he added.

(Truthfully, I didn’t see any cheating and I also would not allow it. But regardless, just to satisfy the doubts of the few of them, investigate so we can give the results to the public.)

On Tuesday, groups belonging to the youth and labor sectors gathered in front of the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila, to protest the results of the recently concluded elections.   —KBK, GMA News