National canvass finished today, says Comelec

MANILA, Philippines — The National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) intends to complete the canvassing of all 175 certificates of canvass (COCs) from different parts of the country and overseas today and potentially set the “earliest” proclamation of winning senators.

According to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia, the NBOC has received almost all the 175 COCs and thus can already complete the canvassing, possibly this evening.

Garcia said the NBOC made history when it canvassed 58 COCs just on the first day of canvassing on Tuesday, and 101 yesterday. Only 16 COCs have yet to be canvassed.

“Hopefully we can finish all the remaining ones until tomorrow night, and our intention is to have the proclamation by Saturday at the earliest and Sunday at the latest for the entire senatorial lineup,” Garcia said at a press conference yesterday.

The final data from NBOC, Garcia noted, would serve as the basis for the proclamation of the 12 winning senators and not the unofficial tally from private entities.

While the canvassing may be completed today, Garcia said the NBOC plans to hold the proclamation either Saturday or Sunday because the board must prepare the venue and send a formal invitation to the winning senators.

Garcia pointed out that if the proclamation were held on Sunday, it would already be the earliest in election history.

He said the Comelec is not aiming to achieve a record for the earliest proclamation, but instead hopes to allow the nation to move on quickly from the divisive election.

A day after the proclamation of the winning senators, the Comelec may also proclaim the winning party-list groups due to venue considerations, Garcia said.

Additionally, the NBOC needs to compute and comply with the formula prescribed by the Supreme Court on how to arrive at the guaranteed seat as well as additional seats for the winning party-list groups.

The NBOC needs to canvass all the votes for the party-list group before it can undertake the computation as mandated by the law.

There are 63 seats allotted for winning party-list groups, with Akbayan currently leading in the partial and unofficial count.

Bam thanks voters

Former senator Bam Aquino on Tuesday thanked voters – particularly the youth – for propelling his return to the Senate, calling his victory a result of “hard work, faith and the power of collective action.”

“We were very far behind, but inch by inch we were able to raise our position through the help of God, and of course hard work, perseverance and the collective action of the people – including the youth,” he said.

The former senator, who lost in 2019, said his comeback reflected a public appetite for “serious work” in the Senate.

Currently second in partial and unofficial numbers, Aquino is expected to prioritize legislation on education access, youth employment and digital infrastructure – issues that dominated his campaign platforms.

He joins Sen. Risa Hontiveros and fellow returning senator Kiko Pangilinan as one of the few opposition-leaning members of the chamber.

Meanwhile, former senator Panfilo Lacson and reelectionist Sen. Imee Marcos thanked their supporters for their victory.

Lacson credited the youth vote, social media and shifting alliances as key drivers of the election’s surprises and outcomes.

Marcos, who is in 12th place based on partial counts, framed her victory as a win for principle.

Losers concede

Marcos administration bets that failed to make it into the Senate Magic 12 have began conceding in separate statements.

Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., a longtime politician who was linked to the pork barrel scam, acknowledged the poll results with gratitude.

“Despite the unexpected, my heart is overflowing with thanks for your continued love and support,” he said, addressing his voters.

Meanwhile, former interior secretary Benhur Abalos also addressed voters and emphasized the importance of reconciliation.

“The election is now over, may we be united because that is the key to the country’s progress,” he said.

For his part, Sen. Francis Tolentino urged winners to continue to fight for Philippine sovereignty.

“Let’s not allow any foreign power, no matter how big – like China – to take away what’s ours,” he said.

Although her daughter, Rep. Camille Villar, is likely to succeed her in the Senate, Sen. Cynthia Villar, who ran for Camille’s seat in Las Piñas, fell short in her political bid. In a message, she expressed gratitude despite the loss.

“This isn’t goodbye – it’s a continuation of my love and service for every Las Piñero,” she said.

Additionally, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV acknowledged that he failed to overcome “the force of money” in his attempt to oust the Malapitan clan in Caloocan.

“We campaigned fairly, presented our case and did not engage in vote buying,” he said, clearly taking a swipe at his opponent, incumbent Mayor Along Malapitan.

‘Manual recount’

Despite placing way outside the Senate Magic 12, accused sex offender Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his camp are pushing for a manual recount of votes, citing alleged irregularities.

“Our fight does not end in the election… Pastor Quiboloy calls for a manual recount of the senatorial votes. This is not a rejection of our democratic process, but a call to strengthen it,” his legal counsel Israelito Torreon said.

Meanwhile at the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, the detained preacher, who fashions himself as the “appointed son of God,” has garnered a handful of votes.

Out of 169 votes cast by Filipinos in Vatican City, 23 voted for Quiboloy, Comelec records showed.

There are 492 registered voters in Vatican City, yet voter turnout was only 34.35 percent.

At the same time, Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, who is currently sixth in senatorial rankings, cannot sit still and wanted Comelec to proclaim him as senator at the soonest possible time.

“It (Comelec) should consider allowing the early proclamation of the top-ranking senators whose positions can no longer be reasonably contested,” Marcoleta said in a three-page motion.

However, Garcia maintained that the members of the NBOC agreed to hold a full proclamation of all the winning senators despite Marcoleta’s request. – Neil Jayson Servallos, EJ Macababbad, Bella Cariaso, Janvic Mateo, Delon Porcalla