Daniel Fernando is formally proclaimed as the winner of the Bulacan gubernatorial race — a landslide victory with more than a million votes. Andrea Taguines, ABS-CBN News

MALOLOS, Bulacan (UPDATED) -- Daniel Fernando was formally proclaimed as the winner of the Bulacan gubernatorial race on Tuesday, having won a landslide victory with more than a million votes.

This will be his third and final term.

The Commission on Elections Provincial Board of Canvassers also proclaimed Fernando's running mate, reelectionist Alex Castro, as Vice-Governor elect.

Castro also garnered more than a million votes.

Both said they were surprised and grateful for the large number of votes they received this midterm election.

"Sobrang overwhelming. Hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin ako makapaniwalang umabot ng million yung boto namin kaya sobrang nakaka-challenge din yung expectation ng mga tao. Talagang mas lalo pa naming gagalingan," said Castro.

Fernando denied allegations that there was vote buying involved.

"Malaki po ang utang na loob namin sa inyo at ito po ay hindi kayang tumbasan ng kahit anong halaga ng salapi… Hindi po tayo gumastos ng pera dito pang-vote buying, wala pong vote buying, bawal po ang vote buying," he asserted.

Among the tandem's priorities as they get back to work— to increase the amount of educational assistance given to students, upgrade tertiary hospitals, and continue solving the decades-long flooding problem in the province.

Fernando said they will also be stricter in enforcing the no overloading rule for trucks, particularly those used for quarrying, to avoid road damage and to complement the rehabilitation of provincial roads.

"Kinakailangan maging maayos sila kasi nasisira ang mga kalsada, tinatawag na 'Lubakan' ang Bulacan, no. Maghigpit po tayo dyan," he added.

Filipinos worldwide can also stay updated on election-related news and results via the Halalan page on ABS-CBN.com.

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