20/05/2025
Unburdened!
May 12, 2025 was a disastrous election for me and my brother, Efren, who was my running mate as we only won in the City of Kidapawan and lost in all other towns, including our birthplace, Mlang.
In spite of pre-election surveys which showed me leading as much as 70% to 30% and my brother way ahead of his young and inexperienced opponent 80% to 20% with mammoth crowds in our rallies to back up the surveys, we ended up literally beaten black and blue.
As of last count, I was behind by about 200,000 votes while my brother trailed by over 100,000.
Of course, the results were received by observers with disbelief, especially so since the largely pro-Duterte North Cotabato rallied around us following endorsements made by Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte.
There was massive vote buying and shameless collaboration to cheat which I believe was done by either pre-shading of ballots or pre-loaded VCMs.
Friends and supporters who were concerned with how I reacted to the devastating political defeat comforted me.
They asked how I was taking the political setback.
"Unburdened," was my reply.
I decided to run for Governor at the last minute with the intent to give people of my province a choice on the kind of political leadership and governance.
I promised them emancipation from poverty through agricultural development, credit programs, support for youth education, free hospitalization, corporate governance and a province which would be a model in Food Security in the whole country.
They embraced the promise of a better future for their children and emancipation from oppression and poverty and up to the last day before the elections, the surveys showed that our team would win by a landslide.
Overnight, however, things changed.
Massive vote buying and widespread cheating turned the expected landslide victory into a devastating defeat.
Was I saddened? Yes but not because I did not win, rather I felt sad for my people.
There was massive vote buying but votes could only be bought if people are willing to sell; there could only be massive cheating when there are collaborators.
Many said they were harassed and intimidated thus they caved in. But courage and fortitude cannot be shared or transmitted.
Sadly, those who sold their votes, those who collaborated in the cheating and those who refused to stand up to fight for their rights were the same people I wanted to give a better life.
They made a choice and I could not blame them. I fully understand that their urgent needs prevailed over the still to be delivered promise of a better life. That is human nature.
Now, I do not have to carry the guilt that I failed to give hope to my people when they were in despair.
So, today, instead of feeling sad or disappointed over the results of the elections, I am "Unburdened."
!
