Comelec proclaims winning senators

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) officially proclaimed yesterday the 12 winning senators in the recently concluded midterm polls.

- By MAYEN JAYMALIN

The new senators will serve a six-year term starting June 30, 2025 until June 30, 2031.

"Now, therefore, by virtue of the power vested in it under the 1987 Constitution, Omnibus Election Code and other election laws, the Commission on Elections, sitting en banc as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), hereby declares the 12 candidates as the duly-elected senators of the Republic of the Philippines in the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections," Comelec Chairman George Garcia said as he read the NBOC resolution on the proclamation.

Except for senator-elect Francis Pangilinan, who is abroad to attend the graduation of his daughter, all the winning senators were present for the proclamation ceremony held at the Manila Hotel.

First to arrive for the proclamation ceremony was reelectionist Sen. Bong Go, who was the last to be proclaimed, being the topnotcher in the senatorial race.

In his speech, Go thanked former president Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte for supporting his candidacy.

For his second term, Go vowed to continue pursuing

Her lawyers may be against letting her face a Senate impeachment trial, but Vice President Sara Duterte said she wants it to proceed because "I really want a bloodbath."

In an ambush interview after attending a thanksgiving mass in Davao City, Duterte said she is ready to accept whatever the outcome of her impeachment trial is.

She was in Davao to meet her brothers and other members of their family following their election victory.

"They are in full throttle in their preparations for the impeachment. Of course, they do not want a trial. As lawyers, we know how the lawyers work," Duterte said.