Liberal Party bet Roxas concedes to Duterte

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Administration presidential bet Manuel “Mar” Roxas II accepted his defeat and conceded to Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday (May 10).

[Translation: It is clear that Duterte is the next president of the Republic of the Philippines. Digong, I wish you success. Your victory is our country’s victory.]

Roxas thanked his supporters for staying with him and for seeing the elections through.

“Araw-araw kasabay ko kayo humarap sa hamon, marami sa inyo stuck your necks out para sa laban na ito at sa kabila ng lahat hindi kayo bumitaw,” Roxas said. “Sinamahan niyo ko hanggang sa dulo, for that I'm very grateful.”

[Translation: You were with me every day to face challenges, and many of you stuck your necks out for this fight, and despite everything you didn’t give up. You stayed with me until the end and for that I’m very grateful.]

Roxas also thanked outgoing President Benigno Aquino III, the Liberal Party, the volunteers, and his family.

“I read somewhere that it is not the battle that we remember most, but the soldier who stood beside us. Sa inyong lahat maraming maraming salamat,” said Roxas. “Hindi ko kayo makakalimutan. Mga kababayan, isang walang kapantay na karangalan, na maging taga wagayway ng ating bandila. To have carried our flag, fought the good fight, to have finished the race. Maraming maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.”

[Translation: I read somewhere that it is not the battle that we remember most, but the soldier who stood beside us. To all of you, thank you very much. I won’t forget you. To my countrymen, it was an unparalleled honor to have been able to wave our flag, to have carried our flag, to have fought the good fight, to have finished the race. Thank you all so much.]

He also urged his supporters and the Filipino people to accept the people’s verdict.

“Mga kababayan, higit sa pagiging suporter or kapartido ng kahit na sinong kandidato, Pilipino tayo. Patuloy nating ipaglaban ang mga prinsipyong ito, ibigay lahat ng ating makakaya para makamit natin ang kolektibong mithi at ang tunay na diwa ng pagiging Pilipino.”

[Translation: To my countrymen, more than being a supporter or an ally of any candidate, we are all Filipinos. Let’s continue fighting for our principles, let’s give everything so we may attain the collective ambitions and true spirit of being a Filipino.]

Roxas appeared to be in high spirits. But he turned emotional at the sight of some tearful supporters.

“There are many tears in the room, let me tell you this is not the time for tears for our country had a successful transfer of power. It’s not about me,” Roxas said, his voice cracking.

Late Monday (May 9), just a few hours after vote counting started, independent candidate Sen. Grace Poe called Duterte to concede and congratulate him.

Also watch: Poe to cooperate with Duterte in poverty alleviation, campaign vs. illegal drugs

Vice President Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance said he intends to finish the race.

Rally behind Leni

Roxas also said though he lost the presidential race, his running mate Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo’s fight is not yet over.

He asked their supporters to rally behind Robredo and make sure that her votes will be counted correctly.

“Ngayon hindi pa tapos ang laban ni Leni [Robredo],” Roxas said. “Angat siya, lumalaban siya. Patuloy tayong magbabantay, manalig at sumuporta, siguraduhin nating mabibilang ng tama ang kanyang boto.”

[Translation: Leni’s fight is not yet over. She’s leading, she’s fighting. Let us continue watching, praying and supporting, and making sure that her votes are counted right.]

Also read: Duterte reaches out to rivals, offers friendship

CNN Philippines' AC Nicholls contributed to this report.