Duterte camp urges Bongbong: Ask Miriam to concede

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday called on Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to persuade his running mate, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, to concede if he wants a separate vote count for vice president.

Duterte's spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the canvassing board could go on canvassing for vice president if Duterte will be proclaimed president-elect as soon as possible.

"We suggest that other presidential candidates should waive their rights (to canvassing)," Panelo said in a press conference aired on television.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Grace Poe and former Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II have already conceded to Duterte.

"It would be an act of statesmanship if Santiago concedes to Duterte," Panelo said.

Panelo noted that the camp of Marcos keeps on objecting to different certificates of canvass, delaying the canvassing as well as the proclamation of president and vice president.

The partial and official tally of votes for the president and vice president post. #BilangPilipino pic.twitter.com/uwy4LQdGYN

— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) May 26, 2016

As of 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the Senate and House of Representatives joint committee, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, was able to canvass 45 out of 165 certificates of canvass (COCs).

Canvassing of three COCs (Laguna, Ilocos Sur and Davao del Norte) was deferred due to discrepancies raised by the Marcos camp.

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