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Senatorial candidate Mar Roxas reacts to a question during the Harapan 2019 Senatorial Town Hall Debate at ABS-CBN on February 24, 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA -- Former Senator Mar Roxas on Wednesday reflected on his failed political comeback, saying he would have more time to "live life to the fullest."
The 62-year-old father to newborn twins placed 16th in the senatorial race, missing the 12th and last winning spot with 9.84 million votes.
"I don’t know what comes next. For now, I encourage you to do what I’m going to do – hug my family, nurture them, learn some more, work some more, love some more… in short, try to live life to the fullest," Roxas said in a statement.
"In this way, we can revive our spirit, and get strong. Our country continues to need us and our best efforts," he added.
Roxas apologized for keeping silent after the May 13 polls, saying "I felt it best and appropriate given the circumstances."
"Well, we didn’t make it. Disappointing and sad but ganyan talaga ang buhay (that's life)," he said.
Roxas thanked his supporters "for believing – in me, in our values and principles, and in the idea that we as a people, and the Philippines, are and can be better than where we are, that our future is and can be brighter than our today."
"On behalf of my whole family, maraming maraming salamat sa tiwala, suporta at malasakit (thank you so much for the trust, support and concern). I am so very humbled and honored to have been in the trenches and frontline with you all," he added.
This is Roxas' third consecutive election loss. He lost to President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016 and to Vice President Jejomar Binay in 2010.
None of the 7 other candidates from opposition slate Otso Diretso made it to the winner's circle.
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