CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, conceded from the gubernatorial race in Misamis Oriental, ranking third after former congressman and Gingoog City Vice Mayor Pedro Unabia and Misamis Oriental 2nd District Representative Juliette Uy.
Moreno got 89,852 votes after 99.81 percent of the election returns in Misamis Oriental had been canvassed.
Unabia, on the other hand, obtained 248,403 votes and Uy had 181,792 votes.
In his statement posted on social media, Moreno congratulated Unabia and the other winners.
"The sovereign people of Misamis Oriental have spoken, and I accept their decision. Our congratulations to Governor Pedro Unabia and all the winners. I wish them all well," Moreno said.
According to Moreno, the short campaign period prevented them from delivering their message of transformation to all the 424 barangays all over Misamis Oriental very clearly and in a timely manner.
"This was certainly made a lot harder by the traditional political walls that proved impenetrable," Moreno said.
Ariel Hernandez, Moreno's bet for vice governor, also placed third in the vice gubernatorial race.
The contest was won by incumbent Vice Governor Jigjag Pelaez, Unabia's running mate.
In 1998, Moreno began his political career and served as one of Misamis Oriental's two congressmen for two terms.
He also served as a governor for three terms and Cagayan de Oro City mayor for three terms.