THE leaders of Alyansang Guico-Lambino (AGuiLa) minced no words in responding to the API political party’s charge of cheating and its plan to file an election protest: “The people have spoken. We should accept it.”

In a press conference Wednesday after Ramon Guico III’s proclamation as governor-elect, Bayambang Mayor Cezar Quiambao, known as the power behind AGuiLa, reiterated the call even as he maintained that the system used in the election is 99 percent accurate.

“The people are perhaps already tired (of the Espino administration),” Quiambao added as he pointed to the 15 years hold on the gubernatiorial post. The elder Espino was a three-term governor while his son had a two term run.

The real game changer, he said, was Second District Rep.-elect Mark Cojuangco who transferred residence in Lingayen and won. He conceded that the Second District was the weakest link of AGuiLa, it being the bailiwick of the Espinos.

Quiambao credited AGuiLa‘s success to its united effort, well-organized and had quality candidates and their move to apply technology to strengthen the organization.

Cojuangco chided the Espinos for refusing to accept their defeat. “Even Vice President Robredo and others have already accepted the people’s decision,” he said and called Espino’s innuendos as malicious. “We have captured the hearts of the people. There was no cheating,” he said.

He said they approached the people in 231 barangays and convinced them that they presented better alternatives.

He cited actor Robin Padilla’s surprise lead in the senate race who got more votes than former senators Loren Legarda and Chiz Escudero “because he was able to capture the hearts of the people”.

Guico, for his part, said, ” They should accept the fact that the people no longer like them… and they should not blame anyone except themselves.” Fifth District Rep.-elect and Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico II echoed the same.

“Cheating is not an issue here. They should simply accept the fact that people do not like them anymore,” he added.

He added that the Espino’s API party list won and the ballots cast were tallied in the same vote counting machine. “So if our victory is questionable, and so is API’s,” he said adding  “You know the problem with us here in the Philippines is no one loses. If one lost, he was cheated.”

He stressed that they are the challengers here and the margin of votes that he garnered over the young Espino is really big.

Re-elected Vice Gov. Mark Lambino said, “Let’s accept (the decision) and move forward”.

First District Rep-elect Arthur Celeste said if there was cheating as alleged by the elder Espino,” then why did my two brothers lose?” (Rep. Arnold Celeste and former Cong. Jesus Celeste failed in their election bid for mayor of Agno and Sual towns respectively). (Eva Visperas)

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