May 10, 2016•Update: May 11, 2016
By Roy Ramos & Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA, the Philippines
Mar Roxas, the anointed candidate of outgoing Philippines President Benigno Aquino III, conceded defeat Tuesday to clear winner Rodrigo Duterte after a bitter presidential election saw him trailing the outspoken candidate by six-million votes.
In a televised press conference, Roxas -- grandson of former president Manuel Roxas -- thanked supporters and wished Duterte success.
He added, however, that he believes he "fought the good fight" in the race that saw candidates hurl charges and counter charges at each other on issues of corruption, morality and leadership capability.
"Digong [Duterte's nickname], I wish you success. Your victory is a victory of the people and the country," Roxas declared.
"For our country, we have had a peaceful, successful transfer of power. It's not about me, not about anyone. It's about how we love our country," he added.
As of 4.30 p.m (0830GMT) the Philippines Commission on Elections had the Davao City mayor ahead of his nearest rival by around 6 million votes.
With 92.77 percent of the returns counted, the 71-year-old was on 15,520,595 votes, Roxas was on 9,386,81 votes and Sen. Grace Poe -- who also conceded earlier Tuesday -- was on 8,690,863.
Video uploaded to the internet showed an emotional Duterte weeping as he visited his parents graves in Davao City, where two decades of rule as the local mayor saw him transform the area from a crime ridden hovel to a peaceful and investment-friendly city.
On Monday, Duterte said he would like to reach out to his opponents so the “healing process” could start.
“Let’s begin to forget about the travails of the elections,” he said. “When I offer [peace], that’s without exemption but if they don’t accept my goodwill, fine. I always believe in the deep abiding faith in God.”
In the vice presidential race, Liberal Party candidate Leni Robredo was leading a neck-and-neck race against Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. -- 13,605,015 votes to 13,394,086.
Duterte's number of votes was slightly larger than that of incumbent Aquino in 2010 who steps down having reached the term limit of six years.
The Commission on Elections will proclaim the winner within two weeks.
Duterte will serve as the country's 16th president, and the first from the country's south.
