The Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed the 12 winning senators at the Tent City of the Manila Hotel on Saturday, 17 May, five days after the midterm elections.
In his speech, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia hailed the historic 2025 midterm polls.
"Makasaysayan ang halalan natin ngayong taon sa kabila ng mga hamon at sa gitna ng init hindi lamang sa bunga ng panahong tag-araw kundi ng matitinding palitan ng pananaw sa panahon ng kampanya (Our election this year was historic despite the challenges and amid the heat not only as a result of the summer season but also of the intense exchanges of views during the campaign)," Garcia said.
"Naitala natin ang pinakamataas na bilang ng pinakamataas na botante na bumoto sa kasaysayan ng midterm elections, kapwa sa porsyento at sa kabuuan ng mga botante (We recorded the highest voter turnout in the history of midterm elections, both in percentage and in total voters)," he added.
The poll body reported a record-high voter turnout of 82.2 percent for the 2025 midterm elections, with 57.35 million voters out of the 69.67 million registered voters on 12 May.
The figure is also the second-highest voter turnout after 84.1 percent logged during the 2022 presidential elections, where 55 million of the 65 million registered voters participated.
Garcia noted that the 2025 midterm elections were proof that more Filipinos are becoming aware of the power of their vote and the hope that it will bring a better tomorrow.
He also recognized the power of the youth voters, a big factor for the historic turnout.
"Sa hanay ng mga bumoto, namumukod-tangi ang lakas ng kabataan, ang Millennial at Gen Z na madalas napagkakamalang tahimik o abala sa sarili nilang mundo ay buong giting na nakisangkot, nakibahagi, at tumindig para sa ating kinabukasan (Among those who voted, the strength of the youth stood out, Millennials and Gen Z who are often mistaken for being quiet or busy in their own world bravely got involved, participated, and stood up for our future)," Garcia said.
"Nakita natin na sila mismo ang humahabi ng ating kasaysayan (We have seen that the youth themselves are weaving our history)," he continued.
Senator Bong Go, who garnered the most votes with 27,121,073 votes, broke the record for the most votes received by any Philippine senator in history, led the candidates who made it to the "Magic 12."
Go surpassed Robin Padilla's 2022 record of 26,612,434 votes.
Also among those proclaimed were former senator Bam Aquino, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, former Senator Francis Pangilinan, SAGIP Party-list. Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, former senator Panfilo Lacson, former Senate president Vicente Sotto III, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Las Pinas Rep. Camille Villar, Sen. Lito Lapid, and Sen. Imee Marcos.
Meanwhile, the Comelec is eyeing the proclamation of winning party-list groups on Monday, 19 May.
Based on the National Board of Canvassers, the top five party-list groups are Akbayan (2,779,621), Duterte Youth (2,338,564), Tingog (1,822,708), 4Ps (1,469,571), ACT-CIS (1,239,930), and Ako Bicol (1,073,119).