DESPITE the pandemic restrictions, the Commission on Elections on Wednesday hurdled another major challenge in its first ever polls held in a health crisis with the proclamation of 12 winning senators at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Forum Tent in Pasay City.
In Resolution No. 002-22, the NBOC proclaimed the 12 senatorial candidates, who gained the most votes in the canvassing of 172 of the 173 Certificate of Canvass (COC) in the May 9, 2022 polls.
This was based on advice by the Comelec Supervisory Committee that the still pending results in the special elections in the 14 barangays in Lanao Del Sur and in overseas voting Shanghai, China will no longer affect the ranking of the Senate Magic 12.
The top 6 senators with the most votes are: Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla (26.61 million votes); Antique Rep. Lorna “Loren” B. Legarda (24.26 million votes); broadcaster Rafael “Raffy” T. Tulfo (23.4 million votes); Senator Sherwin “Win” T. Gatchalian (20.60 million votes); and Sorsogon Governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero (20.27 million votes); and Former Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar (19.47 million votes).
Rounding up the 12 senatorial candidates are Taguig first district Rep. Alan Peter S. Cayetano (19.3 million votes); Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri (18.73 million); Sen. Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva (18.49 million); former senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito Estrada (15.84 million votes); Sen. Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel (15.42 million votes); and former senator Jose “Jinggoy” Ejercito Estrada (15.1 million).
“The Commission on Elections, sitting en banc as the National Board of Canvassers, hereby declares the following candidates as the duly-elected Senators of the Republic of the Philippines in the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections ranked according to the number of votes obtained by each, to serve for a term of six years, beginning at noon of June 30, 2022, in accordance with Section 4, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines,” the NBOC said in its three-page resolution.
All of the winning senators were present at the proclamation ceremony, facilitated by members of the Comelec en banc.
First-time senators
CITING tradition, Comelec Chairman Saidamen B. Pangarungan gave a speech before presenting the certificate of proclamation of Padilla, who got over 26 million votes.
“This is an overwhelming testament to the trust and confidence that the Filipino voters have reposed in him,” Pangarungan said.
He said he hoped the neophyte senator, a Muslim like him, would be able to realize his campaign promise of improving the working conditions of employees and restructuring the government.
Senate president
MEANWHILE, incumbent and returning senators who were in the proclamation ceremony focused on the looming showdown for Senate President.
Reelected senator Zubiri, who was among those reported to be the top contender for the position, said he is now a part of a bloc in the Senate. Another reported candidate for Senate president is Senator Cynthia A. Villar.
“It’s a fairly nice bloc who believe in the sanctity of the Senate in terms of traditions and rules, independence, the right of every senator to be able to speak their mind, to be able to air their voice and have their vote on a particular issue,” Zubiri said.
But he declined to comment if he will be gunning for the Senate leadership.
For his part, returning senator Cayetano said three senators are now campaigning to replace outgoing Senate President Vicente “Tito” C. Sotto. He noted that so far, none of the candidates were able to get the support of at least 13 senators to win the Senate presidency.
The lawmaker said he has yet to align with any of the candidates.
“I’d like to remain independent so I am actually not engaging,” Cayetano said.
Move on
FOR its part, Malacañang expressed hope the proclamation of the winning senators will allow the country to finally “move on” from the divisive elections.
“Our people have elected old and new faces in the Senate, and there is a sense of hope and optimism with the new set of lawmakers,” Acting Presidential Spokesman Secretary Martin M. Andanar said in a brief statement.
“It is now time to move forward after a divisive election campaign and begin the daunting task of speeding up our economic recovery affected by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added. Senators Villanueva, Zubiri, Villar and Escudero echoed Andanar’s remarks.
“I hope that beginning today, let us begin the healing process. Whatever is your color during the last elections, we hope it will turn into the colors symbolizing our flag,” Escudero said, partly in Filipino.
Image credits: Roy Domingo