Front-running presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is prayed over by a supporter during a news conference shortly after voting. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
Malaca帽ang on Tuesday said it is ready to work with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who has yet to be proclaimed president.
鈥淚 have indicated our readiness and willingness to work with the incoming administration,鈥� Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said during a Palace briefing.
Earlier in the day, Malaca帽ang issued a statement accepting and expressing respect for the 鈥渧erdict鈥� of the people as unofficial and partial tallies show Duterte leading by at least five million votes.
The administration鈥檚 candidate, former secretary Mar Roxas, is tailing behind with around 23 percent of votes as opposed to Duterte鈥檚 38 percent.
鈥淭he path of good governance or Daang Matuwid is already established as all presidential candidates spoke out against corruption, and in favor of continuing and expanding present pro-poor programs, and pursuing more initiatives to sustain the strong economy and achieve inclusive growth,鈥� Coloma said.
Coloma also said the incoming administration will benefit from their work on good governance.
鈥淲e have done our part in improving the systems, procedures and processes in making this more customer or citizen friendly; and our successors will find a strengthened bureaucracy that is steeped in the principles of good management as well as open and transparent and accountable transactions with the general public,鈥� he said.
He said Duterte can expect a 鈥渕ore capable鈥� and 鈥渕ore responsive鈥� government workforce.
Coloma disagreed with those saying that Roxas鈥� loss and Duterte鈥檚 win was a 鈥減rotest vote.鈥�
He said people should not generalize and pointed out that all candidates vowed to continue the conditional cash transfer program, which is the centerpiece anti-poverty program of the Aquino administration.
鈥淜aya鈥檛 hindi naman makatwiran na sabihin na hindi matagumpay o walang saysay 鈥榶ung mga ginawa ng ating kasalukuyang administrasyon,鈥� he added.
(So it is not right to say that the current administration did not succeed or that its actions had no bearing.)
Asked if President Benigno Aquino III will congratulate Duterte, Coloma said they will have to wait.
鈥淢ay tamang pagkakataon para sa mga nabanggit mo,鈥� he told the reporter who asked.
(There is a right time for what you mentioned.)
He said Aquino鈥檚 election message showed that the President was open to the decision of the people and that he only has good wishes for the next administration. JE