Villarama concedes defeat to Pancho

BALIUAG, Bulacan — Second district Rep. Wilfrido Villarama conceded defeat to his rival, former congressman Pedro Pancho, late yesterday afternoon after trailing behind by more than 20,000 votes in a quick count conducted by Pancho’s camp.

"The people of the second district have spoken. I honor their verdict with grace and humility," Villarama, who has served as second district congressman for two consecutive terms, said in a statement.

He said he believes that Pancho, who ran under the banner of the opposition’s Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP), will serve the best interest of his constituents.

"Rep. Pancho and I fought a good fight, mostly on the level of issues and principles. I expect him to represent the second district in the best tradition of service," he added.

As of their latest count, sources in Pancho’s camp said Villarama got 94, 634 against Pancho’s 116, 042.

"It was a great honor to have served the seven historic towns in the second district. During that time, I introduced reforms in the use of community development funds," Villarama said.

He added: "I improved the life of the people through a comprehensive livelihood training system and a program that generated small businesses for the jobless and the marginally employed."