2 city bets concede
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the city is still in the middle of canvassing the votes in the recently conducted elections, however, two candidates have already accepted their fate—that is, their defeat.
Congressional candidate and former city mayor Mansueto Malabor conceded but not without hurling negative accusation against the front runner in the city's congressional race incumbent Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr.
Malabor claimed Gonzalez through his father Justice Secretary Raul Sr. engaged in massive vote buying.
It was not however ascertained if Malabor will bring to the proper forum his accusation.
Congressional race in the city was a three-cornered fight. Based on the ongoing canvassing of votes Malabor ranked third. His fellow opposition candidate Vicente "Benjie" Gengos ranks second.
Malabor lamented that Gengos insisted to run for congressman although majority from the opposition group was not on his side.
Senator Franklin Drilon endorsed Gengos but was not supported by the local opposition.
Nevertheless, Malabor thanked all Ilonggos who showed their support and voted for him.
"There are still people who voted for me though I did not spent any single centavo to buy their votes. They are the people who casted their "sacred votes," ended Malabor.
Meanwhile, vice mayoral candidate Winstone Porras already accepted his defeat against Councilor Jed Patrick Mabilog. Based on ongoing count Mabilog is leading the race by leaps against Porras.
Porras is the chief of staff of former Vice Mayor Victor Facultad. His entry in the vice mayoral race was deemed by observers as a design for a substitution between Porras and Facultad. It did not happen.