Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday conceded in the vice presidential race, saying he accepts the "will of the people" after placing third in an unofficial count.
"The people have made their choice. I accept the will of the people," Sotto said in a statement.
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Sotto said that while he and running mate Senator Panfilo Lacson presented an alternative for a better system in governance and politics, "the electorate had their minds conditioned elsewhere."
"Our word of honor and loyalty are of far greater importance than an election win. I am glad that I did not yield to any political pressure to change my principles and kept my integrity intact till the end," he said.
"Godspeed to our new President and Vice President," he added.
Earlier, Lacson said he was now going home after his second bid to the presidency also ended in defeat.
Former Sen. Bongbong Marcos and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio currently lead the partial and unofficial tally for the presidential and vice presidential elections, both with over 30 millions at 96.65% of the election returns submitted.
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