No partial proclamation of winning senators

EU observers: Vote-buying endemic, well-entrenched

- By DHEL NAZARIO and RAYMUND ANTONIO

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Wednesday, May 14, that it is aiming to proclaim both the 12 winning senators and the first batch of party-list groups on the same day, with the schedule still dependent on the discretion of the poll body's en banc sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC).

Speaking during a press briefing, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the Commission en banc intends to follow a similar approach to the 2022 elections, wherein all 12 senators were proclaimed in one event and party-list winners followed shortly after.

"If we proclaim the senators in the morning, we might already have the party-list proclamation by the afternoon," he said.

He noted that the initial batch of party-list winners, particularly those who reached the two-percent vote threshold and are guaranteed at least one seat, may be identified and proclaimed sooner than the rest.

"If you get two percent, more or less, we can already see that... But for the final tally of all 63 [seats], we really have to wait for the total number of party-list votes," he added.

Despite this, Laudiangco emphasized that the pace of canvassing has been unprecedented, stating that this election is perhaps history in the making with how fast the results are being consolidated. He said only a few remaining results are being awaited, which may allow for a full proclamation without the need for a partial one.

Laudiangco expressed his gratitude to President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte for respecting the election results, saying this affirms the credibility and success of the 2025 polls.

"We are pleased with our President and Vice President for their statements openly accepting the results of the election. This validates all the efforts we've made," he said.