Noynoy Aquino and Jejomar Binay are expected to

be proclaimed the new President and vice

president before the end of this week. /Noel B.
Orsal

Noynoy Aquino widens lead; Jejomar Binay's

margin remains slim in latest Comelec tally
Mark Angelo Ching

Noynoy Aquino is inching closer to being the next

President. Jejomar Binay, meanwhile, is leading
with a slim margin over Aquino's running mate,
Mar Roxas.

According to the latest partial official tally by the

Commission on Elections (Comelec) released at
1p.m. this afternon, May 11, Aquino now has an
estimated five million votes more than his closest
rival, former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada.

Aquino leads with 13 million votes, followed by Estrada with 8.3 million. Third is Villar with 4.7
million, and fourth is Teodoro with 3.5 million. The last four candidates—Richard Gordon, Eddie
Villanueva, Nicanor Perlas, and JC de los Reyes—have less than one million votes.

For vice-president, Binay leads with 12.8 million votes. Second is Roxas with 11.9 million; third,
Legarda, 3.6 million. The last four candidates—Bayani Fernando, Edu Manzano, Perfecto Yasay, and
Dominador Chipeco—have less than one million votes.

PPCRV COUNT. The official Comelec count tallies with the data released by the PPCRV (Parish
Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting), a non-governmental organization working for peaceful
elections, and is in charge of this year's non-official nationwide vote tally.

Latest PPCRV data at 3:45 p.m. place Aquino in the lead with 13 million votes; second is Estrada with
8.4 million; third, Villar, 4.7 million; fourth, Teodoro, 3.5 million.

For vice president, Jejomar Binay leads with 12.9 million votes; second is Mar Roxas with 11 million;
third is Legarda with 3.6 million votes.

OTHER CANDIDATES CONCEDE. To date, the figures that had been released comprise 80% of the
overall election results.

This prodded Villar to call for an early lunch press conference in Mandaluyong City, where he made
his concession speech. "For the rest of my life, I will remain the champion of the poor. Ang aking
pangarap na tapusin ang kahirapan ay di pa nagwawakas," he said.

Villar returns to the Senate to resume his post as senator.

Likewise, Delos Reyes had also conceded to Aquino this morning. He "vows to continue the
fight against political dynasties and the abolishment of pork barrel."
At 2:30 p.m., Gordon had also accepted "the will of the people." In a statement, he said, "I would
like to congratulate Sen. Aquino for his spectacular victory. I call upon the nation to unite and
support him."

The latest to concede was Gibo Teodoro, who-according to official Twitter page-plans to "go
back to private sector."

Former President Joseph Estrada, however, is not willing to concede. ANC news anchor Ricky
Carandang tweeted at noon, "Joseph Estrada's lawyer says he plans to file an election protest
alleging fraud on the part of Aquino."

But in an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Estrada disclaimed the election lawyer's
comment, saying "utak niya 'yon."

"I wish to assure the public that while I plan no protests I am not conceding," he said.

Later in the afternoon, he told the press "Hindi pa ako nagko-concede kay Senator Noynoy
Aquino."

Religious leader Eddie Villanueva was the latest candidate to concede out of the race. Nicanor
Perlas, meanwhile, refuses to concede. He said he will still look at "disenfranchised voters."

Loren Legarda is the first vice presidential candidate to concede today. In a press conference at
the Manila Polo Club, she told the press, "Binabati ko ang aking mga kaibigang sina Aquino at
Binay. I sincerely wish them well."

Legarda also returns to her post in the Senate.

Independent vice presidential candidate Perfecto Yasay, lastly, congratulated all the winners.

SENATORS. For senators, included in the magic 12 in both the Comelec and PPCRV tallies are
Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Juan Ponce Enrile, Pia Cayetano,
Bongbong Marcos, Ralph Recto, Tito Sotto, Serge Osmeña III, Lito Lapid, and TG Guingona.

Hanging on to 13th place is Akbayan Party-list Representative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, who

received 8 million votes, according to PPCRV. (TG Guingona, at number 12, has 9 million
votes.)

Other candidates who made it to the top 20 are Ruffy Biazon, Joey De Venecia III, Gilbert
Remulla, Danilo Lim, Sonia Roco, Ariel Querubin, and Gwen Pimentel.

Of the senatorial candidates, Major General Danilo Lim was the first to concede out of the race.