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Team Unity senatorial candidate and former presidential chief of staff Mike Defensor, who has remained in 15th place in the senatorial election tally, finally conceded yesterday, saying it is “numerically impossible” for him to be included in the Magic 12.

“While the final outcome may not be determined, I am already sure that I cannot land within the Magic 12,” he told reporters during a news conference at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City. “I have already seen the numbers. It’s just numerically impossible.”

Defensor said the 90-day nationwide campaign was “all worth it” and that he decided to accept defeat to dispel persistent rumors and insinuations that he will cheat his way to victory.

“I concede to ease the tension on the ground and to dismiss any notion that there may be illegal acts committed to attain my victory,” Defensor said, downplaying perceptions that being a defender of the embattled and unpopular President Arroyo took its toll on his campaign.

He added: “I concede so as to enjoin my allies and friends who may, in their desire to have me win, commit acts inimical to the essence of democracy and fair play in an electoral battle.”

Defensor refused to say whether his loss may be attributed to his close association with Mrs. Arroyo, pointing out there must be a comprehensive and “honest assessment” of where he suffered the most. “It’s really hard to say at this point.”

“My defeat is not the President’s loss. Her role is to ensure that democracy is respected – and that she has accomplished,” Defensor said. “The market is up and the peso is strongest. That is the applause of appreciation.”

He said he blames nobody for his loss and thanked his staff, allies and supporters – especially his family, who helped him in the grueling campaign and through the uneasiness of the last two weeks of canvassing and monitoring the votes.

“I concede because I love my family and I want my children to learn that there is honor in defeat. I thank all those who helped me with the campaign. We ran a good one and no one is to blame,” Defensor said. “No regrets. It was all worth it.”

In the meantime, while he cannot rejoin the government because of the one-year ban, Defensor said he just wants “to play with my children and be with my wife, who has sacrificed so much. We have not really been together for the past months.”

“God has His purpose and I submit to (God’s) will,” he added. “My only prayer is that, after all of this is done, we reconcile as a people, heal the wounds of the past and work together in building this nation. I concede. May peace and serenity prevail.”

Defensor also told reporters he does not want his Team Unity colleagues to follow suit, particularly Bukidnon Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri and re-electionist Sen. Ralph Recto, who are within striking distance of the Magic 12 and have good chances of winning.

Zubiri ranks 13th while Recto sits at 14th place. “Recto and Zubiri have a very good chance of winning,” he told newsmen.

“I think it’s an individual decision (to concede) for all of us,” he said. “I decided to come out so that the burden will be eased. I accept that this is the way it really is – there are winners and there are losers. For me, it is more important to calm the situation down.”

He was also very particular about the poll fraud charges made by the Genuine Opposition, saying this was one of the reasons why he decided to concede.

“I see a scenario from GO to paint a picture that there will be massive cheating” when the canvassing is finally done, he said.

The STAR sought the reaction of Defensor’s fellow Team Unity senatorial candidate Prospero Pichay, who has been consistently in 16th place.

“That’s his (Mike’s) prerogative,” Pichay said in a telephone interview. “I respect his decision... and I admire him for that. But for the meantime, I don’t want to make any comments yet.”

Re-electionist Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who ran under the Genuine Opposition, expressed regrets over Defensor’s defeat in a statement.

Lacson said that even if Defensor ran under the administration, he was sad that the former presidential chief of staff would not be part of the 14th Congress.

“My unsolicited advice is for him to re-invent himself and show that he can be independent from the Arroyo administration and not serve as apologist all the time and defender of (the President) even if (doing so) is already out of place,” Lacson said.

Defensor earlier admitted that his being identified as defender of the President and her government had been both boon and bane to his candidacy. – Delon Porcalla, Aurea Calica