Pacquiao trailing behind Darlene in early count

Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday was lagging behind his rival Darlene Custodio in the congressional race in the first district of South Cotabato, GMA Network’s News on Q reported. Based on the partial and unofficial count of poll watchdog National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), Custodio tallied 8,851 votes while only 4,730 voted for Pacquiao. The other contender, Teodolo Garay, garnered only 79 votes. Namfrel was able to tabulate 12.25 percent, which represents 179 precincts of the total 1,461 precincts in General Santos City. Results from the other towns in the first district like Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan are not yet in due to questions raised by lawyers from the Pacquiao and Custodio camps. The lawyers of Pacquiao claimed that some of the election returns have no water mark, suggesting they are fake. Pacquiao told GMA News that he could accept defeat if he loses fair and square and there was no cheating. Custodio, meanwhile, said she was elated by her wide lead over Pacquiao but she said people in the first district should remain vigilant against cheating. - GMANews.TV