What words do you have for those who lost the elections?

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: Vox populi, vox dei. Grow up and accept your loss. The president has far better things to do than coddle you like the spoiled brat losers you are.  

Randy Gonzales, Navotas City: Move on and don’t let animosity rule your heart. Real public service can be done inside or outside the realm of politics.  

Kudos to those who conceded defeat

Kyle Laluces, Quezon City: I admire those who conceded defeat. Kudos for such a classy act. This just shows the kind of character you possess. You may have lost the elections, but you did not end up losers.  

Enid Abracia, Metro Manila: I salute those candidates who lost in the elections and admitted their defeat. Thank you for being the true statesmen that you are by accepting defeat and honoring the people’s choice. However, it is not yet the end of the road for you as this country still needs you. It’s time to unite, to heal and push our beloved country forward. To the sore losers, I have this to say: Grow up, please. Thank you also because you’ve revealed to us what you’re really made of.  

Learn the lessons of defeat

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Politics, Philippine-style, is not good for businessmen like Villar who believe that big risks yield big returns. If you lost despite giving even your shirt, you’re not alone.  

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Losing should bring out the best, not the worst, in you. Cheer up and believe that God has better plans for you in His appointed time.  

Mandy Rillon, Cabanatuan City: Losing and winning in the election is not all that matters. Move forward and learn from the experience. Time to gather stones and build. God bless you all.  

Diony Yap, Bacolod City: Sometimes, there is victory in defeat. “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you. He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22.  

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: As soon as the dust settles in, learn from your mistakes. Laugh and move on and you get nearer to winning in the next election.  

Kevin Casamayor, Ilocos Sur: Just accept the past as past without denying it or discarding it. What you have learned from yesterday is a great lesson for today and tomorrow.  

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Sore losers don’t go to heaven. Learn the lessons of defeat today to be a victor tomorrow.  

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: For perennial losers, it could be an opportune time for some moments of discernment. The overrated bets who failed to make it should not be too hasty in offering the white flag of surrender but instead initiate an in-depth analysis to uncover the root causes of their failure. There’s no valid reason to panic, and as the familiar line goes: “In God’s perfect time.” Baka di pa lang napapanahon. Just keep moving on. In the meantime, be gracious enough to accept your defeat. After all, it is pointless to carve a niche as a sore loser.  

Without losers, there are no winners

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: It hurts, but that’s the way it is. Accept defeat graciously and try again until you succeed.  

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: Accept defeat with an open heart. It’s a noble act. Remember that without losers there could be no winners.  

Gilbert Aquino, La Union: They must accept the reality of life. In battles, there are winners and losers. For the losers, don’t stop; life must go on.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal: They should remember that in a game, there is always a winner and there is always a loser. To contest the result of a fair game is to conceal the real score. This isn’t fair.  

Carmela Ramento, Cagayan de Oro City: Accepting that you lost, you regain your self-esteem sooner. Reality tells you that there are more losers than there are winners.  

Elmo Cruz, Manila: In every competition, there are winners and there are losers. Losing in an election is not the end of the line for a politician devoted to public service. Abraham Lincoln lost many times in his political attempts, but he won when he ran for president of the United States. Though he was so unpopular during his presidency, he became so famous as one of the most beloved presidents, not only in America, but the world over, after his assassination. The lesson is, try and try until you succeed, but learn when to give up.  

Y.B. Mores, Mandaluyong City: Concede gracefully; genuine victory belongs not only to winners but also to those who can accept defeat and show meekness of spirit.  

Continue to serve the country

Juan Deveraturda, Subic, Zambales: Local candidates in our town who lost should learn their lesson for resorting to black propaganda and character assassination during the campaign. For Gibo Teodoro, our heart goes out to you. It is not yet time for you to become our country’s president. Please do not give up on your political career and public service. You can serve our people by just being a plain citizen and by organizing a movement that will promote well-meaning advocacies and worthy causes, like environmental protection and job creation.  

Audrey Salonga, Manila: Magnanimity is the word. Fulfill your promise to your constituents in a private capacity and in the best way you can.  

Lucas Banzon Madamba II, USA: For those who lost the elections: Just continue your work towards the good of our country. Always ask what you can do for our country and ask not what our country can do for you, as US President John F. Kennedy said.  

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: Those who lost the elections must concede and continue serving the people in other ways. They should prove their worth in public service until the next election comes around.  

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur; There are many other ways to serve apart from joining the chaotic political landscape. If one is truly fit to render public service, all he needs to do is to look around to see where people have a need. With plenty of money, one can start livelihood programs to help eradicate poverty. Don’t lose hope. You can be a public servant in your own right. Providing help to the community does not end with losing the elections.  

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: It’s not only in winning elective public positions that one can serve the people. There are many other ways. Efren Pañaflorida and Tony Meloto are two private citizens who serve with no fanfare. Most politicians spend so much on their campaigns; they can put their money into charitable foundations instead. Many of them are professionals who can share their knowledge for free to those who have less education. If they have ideas that are beneficial to the nation, they can express these through writing or in a public forum. If they are really serious and sincere about serving their fellowmen, they can do so without troublesome politics.  

Better luck next time

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: You can’t win ’em all. Better luck next time. Concede your defeat and instead contribute something that will help our beloved country.  

Ed Gulmatico, Bacolod City: Be man enough to accept defeat. The world is round; sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down. There is no person in the world who can claim that all the luck in the world will always be with him. Better luck next time.  

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: Better luck next time. Those are my words for those who lost in the elections. Be good sports. Don’t protest. This early, prepare for the next elections.  

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela City: The people have spoken. Accept defeat with dignity, and better luck next time.  

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: Conceding early to an apparent winner in automated elections is a noble act of statesmanship. Better luck next time.  

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: For the losers: Please accept the verdict of the people. There are still other elections coming. Better luck next time. Improve your craft.  Lydia Reyes, Bataan

Better luck next time. This is not the end of the world yet. Who knows? More and better opportunities could lie ahead. Have a positive outlook.  

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan; Well, as usual, better luck next time. For those who lost twice na, weigh your options. Feel the pulse of the people, at baka ayaw na talaga sa iyo.  

Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: Better luck next time. Magpakatatag kayo, hindi pa katapusan ng mundo, di ba? Who knows, God may have other plans for you.  

Leonard Villa, Batac City: Sorry, you’re not on the side of history, but life must go on. If you can accept defeat with no rancor, then you’re still a winner. Better luck next time.  

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Move on; be a model of statesmanship. What matters now is character. Better luck next time.  

Hats off to you

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: To all presidential aspirants who lost: You knew that when you entered the race, there was a risk of losing, as an election is anybody’s game. You have garnered a sizable share of the vote, which means that even if you failed to get the largest chunk, you have people who believe in you. Even if you may not have won the elections, you won the esteem and honor of those who fought alongside you in an electoral contest that you fought with your heads up. Hats off to you!  

Take your evidence to the proper forum

Ed Alawi, Davao City: If you have concrete evidence that you were cheated, bring your case to the proper forum. Bonding yourselves and presenting a masked witness only weakens your complaints.  

Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: Was the notorious talent of Filipinos for manipulating computer systems instrumental in the historic automated elections? I cannot believe it really happened on a wide scale. And so, pwede ba na tapusin na natin ito at kung may dayaan na naman, palagay ko hindi na mababago ang resulta.  

The people have spoken

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: To the losers: In the name of unity and as good Christians, let us be magnanimous in defeat. These unfounded poll fraud charges just add to the confusion.  

Felix Ramento, USA: You all gave your best but the people eventually decided your fate. This is the time for soul-searching and contemplation.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Accept the reality that you lost. The people have spoken. Huwag ninyo ipagpilitan ang mga sarili ninyo na isaksak sa baga nang madla.  Joel Caluag, Bulacan

_To all the losing candidates, it hurts to lose, but the people have spoken. Don’t waste your time and treasure in filing protest. Life must go on.  

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: The voice of the people, the voice of God, is heard in the election of public officials. Losers must respect the results of the election as respecting the will of God. Don’t growl in protest. God redeems losers in a fraudulent election and rewards those who graciously accept defeat.  

Try and try until you succeed

Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: To my presidential bet Gibo: Maybe it’s not yet your time; maybe in 2016. Try running for the Senate in 2013 and I know you’re a sure winner. We need people like you. To my mayoral bet who happens to be a classmate and a friend: Don’t sulk, Ferds, life goes on. Anyway, three years is a short time and maybe you can now start consolidating and building up your support base. To the others: Try and try until you win.  

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: In a fruit tree, the ripe ones fall first. You soon will have your day.  

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: Try and try until you succeed. Be strong as it’s not yet the end of the world. The attitudes of Sen. Manny Villar and Gibo Teodoro are worth emulating as they have shown that they belong to a rare breed of true warriors who know how to accept defeat gracefully. The other losers who keep on whining, griping and blaming everyone and everything for their sorry fate are not worth talking and writing about. They must learn from the experience of Tito Sotto and Ralph Recto, who resurrected their political careers grandly after their loss in the 2007 polls.  

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: I lost several times and never gave up. If you believe that running for public office is a public service, then run until you succeed. Losing in the elections with only a platform of principle makes the person more credible and noble, aside from gaining points from the Lord.  

Rudy Tagimacruz, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon: Remember that those who lost the elections can be likened to writers who don’t fade away. They just rest for a while.  

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: For those who lost: Try and try again, because a quitter never wins; plus prepare plenty of money for vote-buying.  

Be a good sport

Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: Be a good sport. It’s time to learn how to accept defeat graciously. Let us admit that in every undertaking, somebody has to win, the rest have to lose. The people have spoken and let us respect it. Stop throwing unfounded and irresponsible accusations. The elections are now over and it is time for everyone to unite and look forward to a brighter future for our country.  

June Deoferio, Cavite: Accept reality and be a sport. Try your luck next time.  

Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: Conceding is a gentleman’s way of accepting the will of the majority of the Filipinos.  

Noel Banias, Makati City: Losers in the last elections should now graciously accept defeat and think of ways to help the winners get their programs of government started on a positive note.  

Jayson Biadog, Mandaluyong City: Concede and you are a true public servant. Unite and work with the winning candidate. Accept defeat as gentlemen.  

Time to move on

Rica Guimalan,  Metro Manila: My advice to those who lost in the last elections is to accept defeat and move on. True public service doesn’t end with an electoral loss.  

Col. Dennis Acop, Ret., Benguet: Two words: Move on. First, stop all this foolishness about being cheated. Do not be sore losers. You took a gamble. You lost, period. Cut your losses and move on. By now you should be aware of the snail pace of justice in the country. One candidate was finally declared the winner after all but only when the illegitimate incumbent was winding down his term. Second, the automated elections were generally free of widespread deliberate cheating. Just look at the results! If “Hello, Garci?” was in operation, Noynoy Aquino or Jojo Binay would not have won. The only way automated cheating could have been done was if all PCOS machines were preprogrammed to read anything other than what was actually registered electronically by voters. Did this happen? No. Third, if you are truly for the overall welfare of this long-suffering country, you would concede, like Villar, Gibo, Dick, JC and Bro. Eddie did. The time to unite and heal is at hand and must not be denied.  

Lawrence Albino, Baguio City: Pick up the pieces and move on. Fight another day.  

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: Accept defeat and move on to worthwhile things in life. Support the winning candidates and stop sourgraping.  

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: Lick your wounds and go on with your life.  

Maricel Maralit, Naga City: Please respect the decision of the majority. You can always try again. Move on. It’s not the end of the world.  

Let’s not be sore losers

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Stop complaining and let the nation move forward. Accept your fate. You may be destined for another opportunity.  

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: If you have not conceded, concede now and move on with your life. Don’t be a sore loser and accuse your opponents of cheating. Why did you run in the first place? Was it to serve the people? If so, you now have all the opportunity to do so as private individuals. One presidential bet spent billions campaigning. If the money had been spent building schoolhouses, hospitals, or food to feed the poor before the election, maybe he could have won.  

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Grapevines bear sweet grapes; sometimes they also bear sour grapes  just like losers who claim to have been cheated.  

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Some politicians who lost look very much like sore losers. They are only hurting their own careers or legacies as politicians.  

Concepcion Gaspar, Laoag City: We can’t be all winners. Let’s not be sore losers. This needs self-analysis. What went wrong? Did I have a good performance before? Was my name dragged or linked to anomalies? Was my campaign strong enough to win votes? Do people have faith in me? And many more.  

Prepare for the next polls

Richard Decena, Quezon City: Ang masasabi ko po for those who lost the elections, mag-artista muna kayo, at para mas sigurado, maghanda kayo ng mas malaking pondo.  

Randolph Hallasgo, Misamis Oriental: Be the solution for your respective area or even for our country. You will probably win in the next elections.  

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: There’s no use crying over spilled milk, as they say. Next time, get Kris as your endorser. Or, change your surname to Binay, Ejercito, Marcos et al.; get ABS-CBN, SWS and Pulse Asia as your prophets; and have lots of the 3Gs at all times. ‘Yun lang.  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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