Top Philippine opposition leader quits party post after poll defeat

DPA

THE president of the main opposition party in the Philippines said Tuesday he had resigned from the post after the defeat of all its candidates in mid-term senatorial elections earlier in the month.

Senator Francis Pangilinan, president of the opposition Liberal Party, was also the campaign manager of the eight senatorial candidates in the May 13 elections, which were dominated by allies of President Rodrigo Duterte. “As campaign manager for the Otso Diretso (Straight Eight) slate, I was unable to ensure our victory in the elections and I assume full responsibility for the outcome and hold myself primarily accountable for this defeat,” he said in a statement.

Pangilinan added that he has “tendered my resignation as president of the Liberal Party effective June 30, 2019.” The Commission on Elections has not yet officially proclaimed the winners in the race for 12 of the Senate’s 24 seats, but partial results so far show that candidates endorsed by Duterte are leading.