Comelec to proclaim all Senate winners

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Wednesday that it will proceed with the proclamations of all winning senators by the weekend.

On Wednesday, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the proclamation of winning senators and party-list groups for the midterm elections could be done by Saturday at the earliest.

"The National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) decided to hold a full proclamation. We’re eyeing to hold the earliest proclamation date so far, so we are appealing to candidates to kindly wait for the declaration," Garcia told reporters in Filipino.

"Partial proclamation happens, but it would depend on the remaining uncanvassed certificate of canvass (COCs) and if it would affect the poll results," Garcia added.

Garcia said the NBOC and other boards of canvassers are authorized to “lower the threshold” and proclaim winning candidates if the remaining COCs will no longer affect the results of the elections.

However, the NBOC decided to complete the tallying of votes from the 175 COCs before holding the proclamation for the May polls.

The Comelec, sitting as the NBOC, is aiming to finish canvassing 100 COCs by Wednesday.

As of writing, Senator Bong Go continues to lead the senatorial race, according to the partial unofficial results from the Comelec.

Also included in the "Magic 12" are former Sen. Bam Aquino, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo, former Sen. Francis Pangilinan, Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, former Sen. Panfilo Lacson, former Senator Tito Sotto, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, Sen. Lito Lapid, and Sen. Imee Marcos.

Meanwhile, the Akbayan party-list remains the top party-list group, surpassing the two-percent threshold. This puts the group in a strong position to secure up to three seats, the maximum allowed under the 20 percent sectoral representation rule.