Comelec to proclaim last 3 senators today

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec), sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), will proclaim today the last three winners in the senatorial race.

Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said the proclamation was delayed by one day to give the poll body time to

complete some standard operating procedures.

“We have to send notices to winning candidates and we have to prepare (for the proclamation ceremony) so it may take some time,” Larrazabal told reporters.

He said proclamation will be held at 10 a.m. today at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila. 

Based on the latest partial, official tally of the Comelec released at 10:51 a.m. yesterday, occupying the last three slots are Sergio Osmeña III (independent) with 11,312,362 votes; Manuel Lapid (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), 10,573,073 and Teofisto Guingona III (LP), 9,932,278.

In 13th place is Rep. Risa Hontiveros (LP) with 8,816,620 votes; followed by Rep. Ruffy Biazon (LP), 8,337,692; and Joey de Venecia III (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino), 8,043,905 votes.

The Comelec was expected to proclaim the three winners yesterday at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City where the commission is canvassing the votes for the senatorial and party-list races.

Last Saturday, the NBOC proclaimed Ramon Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Franklin Drilon, Juan Ponce Enrile, Pia Cayetano, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Ralph Recto, and Vicente Sotto III.

As of yesterday morning, the NBOC has yet to canvass COCs from Mountain Province, Lanao del Sur and Basilan.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said these areas have 791,132 registered voters.

Early yesterday, Guingona’s legal counsel Dante Atienza asked the NBOC to proclaim the last three winners, saying that the uncanvassed COCs will no longer affect their standing.

Citing paragraph 2, section 8 of the Omnibus Election Code, Atienza stated that “if the missing canvass will no longer affect the results, this honorable court can proclaim the remaining three.” 

Up to Comelec

Also yesterday, the Comelec said that it is up to Congress to decide whether it will call for a special election to fill the remaining three years of president-apparent Sen. Benigno Aquino III.

“Congress can call for a special election for that one seat,” Larrazabal said.

Aquino has yet to be proclaimed president so technically the Senate seat is not yet vacant, Larrazabal said.

“The votes for the presidency haven’t been canvassed. So Senator Aquino is still a senator. He hasn’t been proclaimed therefore his position is not yet vacant. You cannot proclaim a 13th senator because there’s no 13th (senatorial post) to speak of,” he said.

A joint session of Congress will serve as the national canvassing board for the positions of president and vice president.

Aquino is leading the presidential race, garnering a total of 13,840,703 votes in the partial and unofficial tally of both the Comelec and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, the poll body’s accredited citizens’ arm.

Early yesterday, Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said the commission will convene to discuss if they would allow the 13th ranking senatorial candidate to fill the would-be-vacancy or if special elections would be held. 

“We have to discuss if it should be the number 13 that will go up or should there be a special elections. I think that this is a legal question that we have to address,” Sarmiento said.